Tulare Man Found Guilty of 32 Counts of Child Molestation
On Tuesday, October 22, 2024, in Department 10 of the Tulare County Superior Court, Visalia Division, TCDA prosecutors secured a guilty verdict against Joshua Hernandez, age 34, for child molestation.
At the conclusion of the multi-day trial, a jury found Hernandez guilty of one count of sodomy with a child ten years of age or younger, three counts of oral copulation with a child ten years of age or younger, eight counts of sexual penetration with a child ten years of age or younger, nineteen counts of lewd act upon a child under the age of fourteen and one count of possession of child or youth pornography. The jury also found true the special allegation of substantial sexual conduct. Each count is a felony and 31 of the counts are considered strike offenses.
The crimes were committed in the city of Tulare between July 1, 2014, and February 28, 2019, against a single female victim, who was between the ages of 8 and 12 at the time of the sexual assaults.
Sentencing is set for December 11, 2024, in Superior Court where Hernandez faces over 232 years-to-life in state prison. Hernandez will also be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Chelsea Wayt and investigated by Sergeant Matt Muller of the Tulare Police Department with the assistance of District Attorney Investigator Christopher Porter.
Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Chief Deputy District Attorney Jessica Weatherly (559) 636-5494