Dinuba Man Found Guilty of 19 Counts of Child Molestation
Late yesterday afternoon in Department 5 of the Tulare County Superior Court, Visalia Division, a jury found Victor Hugo Becerra, age 37, guilty of three counts of oral copulation with a minor under the age of ten, one count of digital penetration of a minor under the age of ten, fifteen counts of lewd act upon a child under the age of fourteen, and one count of dissuading a witness. The jury also found true the special allegation of substantial sexual conduct and that his crimes were committed against multiple victims. Each count is a felony and considered strike offenses.
Victim #1 – four counts of lewd act upon a child under the age of fourteen. The crimes occurred between June 18, 2009, and June 17, 2010, against a female victim, who was eleven years old at the time of the sexual assaults.
Victim #2 – eight counts of lewd act upon a child under the age of fourteen, and three counts of oral copulation with a minor under the age of ten. The crimes occurred between April 3, 2008, and April 2, 2013, against a female victim, who was between the ages of seven and eleven at the time of the sexual assaults.
Victim #3 – one count lewd act upon a child under the age of fourteen, and one count of digital penetration of a child under ten. The crimes occurred between August 28, 2009, and August 27, 2010, against a female victim, who was ten years old at the time of the sexual assaults.
Victim #4 – two counts of lewd act upon a child under the age of fourteen, and one count of dissuading a witness. The crimes occurred between May 24, 2007, and May 23, 2009, against a female victim, who was between the ages of twelve and thirteen at the time of the sexual assaults. The dissuading crime occurred on March 26, 2019, when Becerra attempted to stop the victim from participating in the prosecution.
All of the sexual assault crimes occurred in the city of Dinuba. Sentencing is set for November 5, 2020, in Superior Court where Becerra faces life in state prison. Becerra will also be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Chelsea Wayt of the Crimes against Children Division and investigated by Detective Moises Estrada of the Dinuba Police Department.
Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare
Assistant District Attorney Dave Alavezos (559) 636-5494