Massachusetts Man Charged in O.C. Girls’ Molestations
A 79-year-old man was arraigned Thursday on charges that he molested two girls in Costa Mesa a decade ago.
Authorities said Charles Joseph Pauley, of Cotuit, Mass., was arrested in Cape Cod on suspicion of performing lewd acts on the girls -- who were between ages 5 and 7 at the time -- in October 1991 and October 1993. After waiving an extradition hearing, he was taken to Orange County and arraigned at Harbor Justice Center, where bail was set at $100,000.
In cases of child molestation, the statute of limitations begins when the victim comes forward, no matter how long ago the crime occurred. Charges must then be filed within a year of that date.
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