| For Immediate Release September 19, 2006 |
Contact: | Susan Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel (714) 347-8408 Office (714) 292-2718 Cell |
MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO EXPOSING HIMSELF TO YOUNG GIRLS AT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND PARK
*Also convicted of possessing pornographic images of young children
NEWPORT BEACH – A San Clemente man pled guilty today to exposing himself to eight young girls on two occasions in Irvine and Newport Beach. Paul Charles Dishno, 39, pled guilty to the court on two counts of indecent exposure, two counts of child annoyance, and three counts of possession of child pornography. The maximum penalty he faces is five years in jail, but based on his plea agreement the court has indicated he will receive six months in jail, formal probation, and sex offender registration. He will be sentenced October 10, 2006 at 8:30 a.m. in Department H-10, Harbor Justice Center, Newport Beach, to allow the victims to be present to make a victim impact statement.
On the afternoon of March 3, 2006, Dishno parked outside of Northwood Elementary School in Irvine and exposed himself from across the street to six girls, 11-12 years old. He was driving a silver Toyota Tacoma truck with work ladders and tools in the bed.
On March 4, 2006, Dishno drove his truck to Newport Beach between Ford Road and Bonita Canyon Road. He followed two 14-year-old girls walking down a park trail into a ravine. The girls were taking pictures of each other and Dishno got their attention by whistling at them. The girls turned around and saw Dishno exposing himself across the ravine and masturbating.
Newport Beach Police arrested Dishno, who was positively identified by one of the victims based on a photo line-up. The photos taken by the 14-year-old victims in the ravine showed Dishno in the background. The victims also identified Dishno’s truck. Police later found numerous still and video images of child pornography on his computer. The sexual images were of girls and boys who between the ages of five and 16 posing and engaging in sexually explicit acts with adults.
“It is not acceptable that California classifies the crime of possessing child pornography as a misdemeanor instead of a felony,” said District Attorney Tony Rackauckas. “The only reason someone would have child pornography is because they have an unnatural sexual desire for children. The images show us exactly what the defendant is thinking.”
Deputy District Attorney Kelly Grogan is prosecuting this case.
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