VENTURA, California –District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Henry Mata (DOB 6/13/1951), of Fillmore, was sentenced by Judge Anthony Sabo to the California Department of Corrections to 310 years to life. On April 17, 2019, a jury convicted Mata of molesting four children. Specifically, Mata was convicted of one count of oral copulation on a minor under the age of 10, one count of digital penetration on a child under the age of 10, seven counts of lewd acts upon a child under the age of 14, five counts of forcible lewd acts upon a child under the age of 14, and one count of annoying or molesting a child. Additionally, the jury found true special allegations that Mata committed lewd acts involving substantial sexual conduct upon multiple victims.
In April 2016, the first of four victims came forward to Ventura County Sheriff’s detectives stating Mata committed numerous lewd acts upon her in his Fillmore home when she was eight years old. After an investigation, Mata was arrested and charges were filed. Shortly thereafter, three additional victims came forward with information that Mata molested them numerous times between 2004 and 2014 while they were between the ages of 6 and 12. Two additional victims testified that Mata committed lewd acts upon them in the 1980s when they were between the ages of 7 and 10 years old. The crimes against the individuals who were victimized in the 1980s could not be charged as they were outside the statute of limitations. All victims were related to Mata.
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office is the public prosecutor for the county’s 850,000 residents. The office employs approximately 280 employees including attorneys, investigators, victim advocates, and other professional support staff who strive to seek justice, ensure public safety, and protect the rights of crime victims.
Follow the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office on Twitter @VenturaDAOffice
Get Citizensjournal.us Headlines free SUBSCRIPTION. Keep us publishing – DONATE
