| For Immediate Release Case # 09CF0107
October 5, 2009 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
THIRD-STRIKER SEX OFFENDER CONVICTED OF SEXUALLY GROOMING TWO YOUNG BROTHERS WITH TALK OF MASTURBATION
SANTA ANA – A third-striker sex offender was convicted today of grooming two young brothers after befriending their mother by speaking to the boys about masturbation with the intent to sexually gratify himself. Jeremy Gene Harryman, 38, Fullerton, pleaded guilty to the court to three felony counts of child annoyance with prior sex convictions and two prior strikes for 1999 convictions for child molest in Orange County and child sexual abuse in Oregon. The defendant is expected to be sentenced to a court offer of eight years and eight months in state prison at his sentencing tomorrow, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-59, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. The defendant will be required to register as a sex offender.
Harryman gained access to brothers John Doe #1, age 12, and John Doe #2, age 9, after befriending their mother when she was a customer at his then-workplace, Big O Tires in Orange. The defendant spent time with the victims at their home and while on vacation with them and their mother.
Harryman groomed the victims by speaking to John Doe #1 about masturbating. He tried to convince the boys to undress in front of him and took off his own clothes to change in front of the boys. Harryman refused to leave a restroom stall as John Doe #2 used the restroom. The victims’ mother contacted police after becoming suspicious of Harryman’s relationship with her sons.
Harryman has two prior strike convictions for child molest against a young male family member in Oregon and a former neighbor’s son in Anaheim. As in the current case, the defendant groomed his prior victims by speaking to them about masturbation. The defendant was required to register as a sex offender for both cases.
Deputy District Attorney Heather Brown of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case.
###