A Ventura County man was convicted of molesting two young children for nearly a decade.
A jury convicted Marcelino Arias Arca, 68, of Oxnard, of six felony counts of lewd acts upon a child, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday.
From 2005 to 2014, Arca molested two victims who were under 14 years old at the time. The abuse took place at several locations over the years, prosecutors said. He had access to the children through a familial relationship.
Years later, both victims reported the abuse to a trusted family member. Arca was arrested for the crimes and later convicted of six counts of a lewd act upon a child.
Special allegations found true and admitted include:
- Aggravated circumstances/prior conviction
- Multiple victims
- Prior serious or violent felony, prison eligibility
- Serious felony prior
- Prior Strike 3
Arca also has a prior child molestation conviction from 1988, authorities said.
“I applaud the two victims for their extraordinary courage in coming forward and facing their abuser,” said Ben Moreno, a Ventura County District Attorney who prosecuted the case. “Because of their bravery, this defendant will never again have the opportunity to harm a child. I also want to thank the jury for their careful attention to the evidence and their commitment to justice. Although today’s verdict cannot undo the harm the defendant caused, I hope it gives the victims the closure they so desperately deserve.”
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 7. Arca faces 480 years to life in prison, the DA’s office said.
