A Ventura County man was sentenced to 480 years to life in prison for 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 on March 5. On April 8, he was sentenced for the crimes, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced.
From 2005 to 2014, Arca molested two children 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.
Arca also had a prior child molestation conviction from 1988, authorities said.
“Decades ago, this defendant went to prison for sexually abusing a child,” said Ben Moreno, a Ventura County District Attorney who prosecuted the case. “When given a second chance, he chose not to change — instead, he went on to sexually abuse two more children, this time within his own family. This sentence reflects the severe and lasting harm he caused and sends a clear message that child sexual abuse will not be tolerated, especially by repeat offenders.”
Along with six felony counts of lewd acts upon a child, special allegations that were found true and admitted include:
- Aggravated circumstances/prior conviction
- Multiple victims
- Prior serious or violent felony, prison eligibility
- Serious felony prior
- Prior Strike 3
“I applaud the two victims for their extraordinary courage in coming forward and facing their abuser,” Moreno said following the March 5 conviction. “Because of their bravery, [Arca] 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.”
