San Ardo Man Found Guilty of 16 Count of Child Molestation

SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on March 20

that on March 15, 43-year-old Angel Rojas Lugos of San Ardo, was found guilty by

a Monterey County jury of 2 counts of oral copulation on a child 10 years old or under, and 14

counts of forcible lewd or lascivious acts on a child under 14 years of age. All 16 of the charges are

violent felonies and are considered “strikes” under California’s Three Strikes law. The Honorable

Jennifer J. O’Keefe presided over the trial.

Jane Doe reported that Angel Lugos, a family member, molested her many times over a 2 year

period. Jane Doe was under 10 years old at the time the molestation began. Jane Doe stated she

waited to report the molestation because she was afraid she would be get in trouble and that she

would not be believed.

At trial, Jane Doe bravely testified about the repeated instances of molestation that occurred. An

expert in the psychological effects of child sexual abuse also testified that delayed disclosures of

molestation are incredibly common due to numerous factors including: the power imbalance

between the perpetrator and victim, threats to not say anything, fear, and even affection for a

perpetrator if he/she is a close family member, friend, or authority figure.

The case was investigated by Detective Rosy Silva and other deputies from the Monterey County

Sheriff’s Department and District Attorney Investigator Pablo Andrade. The victim in this case was

assisted by District Attorney Victim Advocate Estella Sanchez.

The Honorable Jennifer J. O’Keefe will sentence Lugos on April 27, 2023. He faces a maximum of

170 years to life in prison and will be required to register as a sex offender for life.

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