Strathmore Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Crimes against Children
On Wednesday, November 12, 2025, in Department 10 of the Tulare County Superior Court, Visalia Division, the court sentenced Derli Ramirez, age 26, to life in prison for crimes against children.
Ramirez pleaded no contest to crimes in two separate cases.
PCF411736 – On December 25, 2020, a California Highway Patrol officer responded to concerned citizen calls of a suspect driving erratically on northbound Highway 65. Witnesses observed Ramirez weaving between lanes, driving off the side of the road and swerving to the point of almost colliding with his surroundings. Officers initiated a stop and discovered three juveniles in the vehicle with Ramirez. One of the juveniles was nine years old, and the other two were eight months old. One of the infants was not buckled in properly. Ramirez performed poorly on field sobriety tests and his breath sample revealed a .21% blood alcohol level. Ramirez posted bail the next day.
Despite failing to appear at several court appearances on the matter, the court did not remand Ramirez into custody. In March of 2023, Ramirez pleaded no contest to three counts of felony child abuse under circumstances likely to cause great bodily injury or death, one count of misdemeanor driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage and one count of misdemeanor driving without a valid driver’s license.
VCF440380 – While awaiting sentencing on the DUI case, on April 1, 2023, at approximately 2:07 am, Porterville Police Department Officers responded to investigate an incident involving an 11-year-old female. The investigation resulted in multiple charges of sexual assault committed by Ramirez.
In August 2025, Ramirez pleaded no contest to one count of forcible lewd act upon a child under 14, and one count of assault with the intent to commit a lewd act upon a child under 14.
According to current California sentencing law, Ramirez must serve 16 years, 4 months in prison before being considered for parole from his life sentence. In addition, he must register as a sex offender for life.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Chelsea Wayt and was investigated by the California Highway Patrol and the Porterville Police Department.
Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Communications Director Stuart Anderson (559) 636-5494