| For Immediate Release Case# 04ZF0076
March 16, 2009 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
THIRD STRIKER SENTENCED TO 390 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR MOLESTING TWO YOUNG BOYS,
AGES 9 AND 11
SANTA ANA – A third striker convicted of molesting two young boys was sentenced Friday, March 13, 2009, to 390 years to life in state prison. Ernest Leonard Voight, 45, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury on July 30, 2008, of five felony counts of lewd acts on a child. The defendant was a prior third striker with convictions in 1994 and 2000 for lewd acts on a child and 1989 for assault with a deadly weapon.
Between Dec. 26, 2002, and Feb. 29, 2004, Voight sexually assaulted John Doe #1 beginning when the victim was 11 years old. The defendant was formerly acquainted with John Doe #1’s father, and befriended the victim’s parents after reconnecting and learning they had a young son. After gaining the trust of John Doe #1’s parents, Voight spent time alone with the boy including taking him to play basketball and going to the victim’s house when the parents were not home. Voight sexually assaulted John Doe #1 on three occasions by touching his penis and buttocks over the victim’s clothing and touching his bare buttocks after offering the victim money to pull down his pants.
Between Jan. 12, 2002, and June 27, 2004, Voight sexually assaulted John Doe #2 beginning when the victim was 9 years old. Voight met John Doe #2 through the victim’s friendship with John Doe #1. Voight would try to spend time alone with John Doe #2 by playing sports together and letting the victim listen to music in his parked car while sitting on the defendant’s lap. Voight sexually assaulted John Doe #2 on two occasions by touching his penis and buttocks over the victim’s clothing.
Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Walker of the Sexual Assault Unit prosecuted this case.
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