Tulare Man Sentenced to 300 Years to Life in Prison for Child Molestation
Today in Department 10 of the Tulare County Superior Court, the court sentenced Steven Brian Arey, age 52, to 300 years-to-life in prison for child molestation.
On Friday, April 28, 2023, TCDA prosecutors secured a guilty verdict on twenty counts of lewd act upon a child under the age of fourteen. 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. The crimes were committed against three victims. Each of the sexual assault crimes occurred in the City of Tulare.
- Eighteen of the crimes occurred between January 1, 1996, and November 1, 2002, against a male victim, who was between the ages of seven and thirteen at the time of the sexual assaults.
- One of the crimes occurred between January 1, 1996, and August 29, 2000, against a female victim, who between the ages of ten and thirteen at the time of the sexual assault.
- One of the crimes occurred between January 1, 1996, and March 5, 2001, against a female victim, who was between the ages of eight and thirteen at the time of the sexual assault.
In addition to his sentence, Arey 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 was investigated by Sergeant Matt Muller of the Tulare 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