Visalia Man Convicted of Child Molestation

Today in Department 6 of the Tulare County Superior Court, Visalia Division, Judge Gary Paden presiding, a jury found Joseph Baltezor, age 42, of Visalia, guilty of child molestation. Baltezor was convicted of 20 counts of lewd act on a child under the age of fourteen, one count of lewd act on a child aged fourteen, and one count of sexual penetration of a child ten or under. On six of the counts, Baltezor was found to have substantial sexual conduct with a victim under the age of fourteen.

The crimes occurred between 2008 and 2013 against a single minor female victim who was between nine and fourteen years of age at the time of the sexual assaults.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 25, 2018, in Superior Court where Baltezor faces the possibility life in prison. In addition to his sentence, he will have to register as a sex offender.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Laura Jackson of the Crimes against Children Division and investigated by Sgt. Mike Verissimo of the Visalia 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