Today, a Kern County jury convicted Defendant Pablo Garcia Perez, age 31, of six different felony counts including: • Forcible Sodomy of a Victim under 14 years of Age • Aggravated Kidnapping with the intent to Rape • Exhibiting Harmful Matter to a Minor • Possession of Child Pornography • Forcible Lewd Touching of a Child • Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child
Three of the convictions carry mandatory sentences of Life Without the Possibility of Parole (LWOP).
The case was prosecuted by Deputy DA David L. Eller.
On October 12, 2022, the victim reported sexual abuse by a family member, Perez, that began in 2021. The child reported that Perez would lie to the victim about where he was going to take her, in order to get the child in his car. Perez would subsequently drive her to rural areas surrounding Arvin and would engage in multiple forcible sex acts with her. Additionally, the victim revealed that Perez had threatened to kidnap her if she refused to engage in sex acts with him or reported his crimes to her mother or other adults. Perez repeatedly used threats to solicit nude photographs from the victim, exhibited pornography to the victim, and sent inappropriate photos of his genitalia to her via his cell phone.
The subsequent law enforcement investigation and medical examinations confirmed the victim’s report. Additionally, after being confronted with substantial evidence from his own cell phone, Perez admitted to many of the crimes he committed.
DA Zimmer commented; “Perez had access to the victim and exploited that position of trust to isolate the child. Despite being threatened, the victim courageously came forward so that her abuser could be held accountable. The crimes committed against this minor were horrific, and the sentence Perez now faces will reflect the severity of those acts.”
Sentencing is scheduled for June 16, 2026