42-Year-Old Newport Beach Man Gets 5 Years In Prison For Sexually Molesting Girl, 12
SANTA ANA (CBS) — A 42-year-old Newport Beach man was sentenced to five years in prison Thursday after he pleaded guilty to molesting a 12-year-old girl he met through a social networking site.
Samuel Brent Robertson, who pretended he was 24, was arrested in November 2010 in Ladera Ranch as he was about to meet the girl, Orange County Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Walker said.
After starting the online relationship, Robertson picked up the girl at her middle school in Ladera Ranch in mid-October 2010, Walker said. He drove her to Newport Beach's Back Bay area where he had sexual relations with her, Walker said.
Walker picked up the girl again on Nov. 1, 2010 and drove her to his house in Newport Beach where he again sexually assaulted her, Walker said.
There was another sexual encounter two days later, the prosecutor added.
The victim's mother discovered text messages between the two and notified Orange County sheriff's deputies.
Robertson accepted a plea deal from Orange County Superior Court Judge Craig Robison.
Walker objected because she thought Robertson deserved more time in prison.
Robertson does not have a prior criminal record, but his plea deal amounts to two strikes. If he has another brush with the law after being released from prison it could be considered a third strike, which would lead to life in prison, Walker said.
The victim's parents also wanted Robertson to get a stiffer sentence, but they were relieved their daughter wouldn't have to testify at trial, Walker said.
Robertson pleaded guilty to 23 felony counts of luring a child with intent to commit a crime, lewd or lascivious acts with a minor, and meeting a minor to commit a lewd act, according to court records. He also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of disobeying a court order because he contacted the victim after his arrest, Walker said.
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