FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 5, 2006
MAN ON THE RUN SINCE 1977 FINALLY FACES JUSTICE FOR MOLESTING THREE GIRLS
SANTA ANA – A man on the run since 1977 will finally face sentencing today for molesting three girls in his Costa Mesa motor home. George England, 61, was convicted of three counts of child molestation 28 years ago, but fled the state after his conviction and prior to sentencing when the judge allowed him time to settle his affairs. England is scheduled to be sentenced at 9:00 a.m. in C5, Central Justice Center, in Santa Ana this morning. He faces a maximum of 8 years and 8 months in prison under the eligible penalty under the laws in 1977.
In 1972, England returned to the United States after serving in the U.S. Army in Vietnam, bringing with him a young girl, Jane Doe, who he falsely claimed to have adopted. England used this then 10-year-old girl to lure her playmates, three other girls ages 8-10 years old, to his motor home in Costa Mesa. England was convicted of three counts of child molestation on October 21, 1977.
After his conviction, England convinced the judge to let him go to settle his affairs prior to sentencing. He then took Doe and fled the state, eventually taking residence in Florida and assuming the identity of a deceased 11-month-old boy, “Stephen Arthur Seagoe”. England used this alias in order to obtain a social security number and Florida driver’s license and at least 2 United States passports. He lived in Florida for the next 27 years and is accused of continuing to molest Doe until she was 16 years old. At the age of 21, Doe married and moved out of England’s home. They have not been in contact since 1995.
In April 2005, the Orange County District Attorney’s office was contacted by the FBI with information about England’s alias and amended the arrest warrant from 1977 to include the name Stephen Arthur Seagoe. On Thursday May 19, 2005, the U.S. Department of Diplomatic Security arrested England in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on two counts of passport fraud. England was transported from federal custody after resolving his case and booked into Orange County jail on June 2nd to finally face sentencing in the 1977 molestation case.
“Under the laws of 1977, England only faces 8 years and 8 months for these horrendous crimes and will only serve half of his sentence. This is woefully inadequate. We have since changed our laws to reflect the gravity of such an offense. If he were convicted today, he would face life in prison,” said District Attorney Tony Rackauckas. “Finally, we are going to bring some justice for these little girls who had to wait almost 30 years.”
Deputy District Attorney Lynda Fernandez of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case.
Anyone who has been victimized by George England or who has additional information about this case is encouraged to contact Supervising Investigator Clint McCall at (714) 347-8814.
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