| For Immediate Release Case # 04WF2241 February 20, 2008 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
MAN CONVICTED OF RAPE AND CHILD MOLEST
FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING GIRLS IN HIS
OFFICE AND AT YOUTH CAMP
SANTA ANA – A Midway City man was convicted today of sexually assaulting two young girls, a 17 year old in his office and a 13 year old at youth camp. Huy Ngoc Nguyen, 38, was found guilty of one felony count of forcible rape, one felony count of lewd act on a child under 14, and the sentencing enhancement for sexual crimes against multiple victims was found true. He faces a maximum sentence of 30 years to life at his sentencing on April 18, 2008 in Department C-41, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
On February 28, 2004, Nguyen asked 17-year-old Jane Doe #1 on a date after meeting her through a mutual friend in the community. During the date, Nguyen told the victim he wanted to stop by his office and took her inside. He took Jane Doe #1 into a locked room and forcibly raped her as she cried and told him “no.” Jane Doe #1 later told her friend about the assault. Her friend told the victim that Nguyen had sexually assaulted her sister and encouraged Jane Doe #1 to go to the police.
On or about January 1, 1997, Jane Doe #2, 13, was at a New Year’s Eve celebration with a youth organization in Big Bear. The defendant was at the camp because he had many friends in the youth group and was affiliated with the organization. The defendant, then 31-years-old, molested Jane Doe #2 under a blanket after the lights had been turned off while the campers were telling ghost stories.
During the trial, a third victim, 37-year-old Jane Doe #3, testified that she had dated Nguyen when she was between the ages of 17 and 21. The victim testified that during the course of their relationship, he repeatedly forced her to have intercourse. Jane Doe #3 made numerous attempts to avoid the defendant, but he would show up at her school, church and various social events and harass her. Jane Doe #3 would unwillingly leave with him and he would take her to his uncle’s home and rape her. On one occasion, the defendant assaulted Jane Doe #3’s friend at church, drove her to a motel and raped her. Charges could not be filed against Nguyen for Jane Doe #3 because the statute of limitations had run. Jane Doe #3 came forward in an attempt to prevent this from happening to any more victims.
“In many communities, including the Vietnamese community, victims of sexual assault are often embarrassed or ashamed to come forward,” said Deputy District Attorney Heather Brown of the Sexual Assault Unit, who is prosecuting this case. “The victims in this case were very brave to report what happened to them, and this verdict will help to prevent future victims.”
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