Tulare Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Child Molestation

On May 1, 2024, in Department 3 of the Tulare County Superior Court, Visalia Division, the court sentenced Rosario Valenzuela, age 62, to life in state prison for child molestation. On March 13, 2024, Valenzuela pleaded no contest to two counts of lewd act upon a child under the age of fourteen. Valenzuela admitted the special allegation that he was a habitual sexual offender due to a similar conviction from 1998. Valenzuela also admitted the special allegation that his crimes involved substantial sexual conduct. Each count is a felony and considered strike offenses.

One of the crimes occurred between December 24, 2013, and December 23, 2014, against a female victim, who was thirteen years old at the time of the sexual assaults. An additional crime occurred between December 1, 2014, and September 7, 2016, against a separate female victim who was between the ages of eleven and thirteen years old at the time of the sexual assaults.

Each of the sexual assault crimes occurred in the City of Tulare. Additionally, Valenzuela will be required to continue to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life. Under current California sentencing laws, Valenzuela must serve 25 years before being considered for parole.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Chelsea Wayt and investigated by 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