South County Child Abuser Receives Life Sentence

Yesterday in Department 10 of the Tulare County Superior Court, Visalia Division, the court sentenced Jacob Gamboa, age 35, to life in state prison for child molestation.

On October 18, 2023, Gamboa pleaded no contest to two counts of oral copulation with a child ten years of age or younger and three counts of lewd act upon a child under the age of fourteen. Gamboa admitted the special allegation that his crimes involved substantial sexual conduct. Each count is a felony and considered strike offenses.

The crimes occurred between May 29, 2007, and August 24, 2011, against a female victim who was between the ages of four and eight-years-old at the time of the sexual assaults. Each of the sexual assault crimes occurred in the city of Porterville.

Under current California sentencing laws, Gamboa must serve 22 years before being considered for parole. Additionally, Gamboa will 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 the Porterville Police Department.

Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Chief Deputy District Attorney Dave Alavezos (559) 636-5494