San Luis Obispo County, Calif. – A jury of twelve citizens unanimously convicted Jose Manuel Venturagarcia of all 24 counts stemming from the sexual abuse of three children and an adult woman. The verdict, delivered after a 19‑day trial, marks a decisive step toward justice for the survivors.
Trial Highlights
Prosecutors presented testimony from 21 witnesses, detailing a pattern of abuse that spanned from January 2020 to July 2024 in Paso Robles. Evidence showed that Venturagarcia repeatedly assaulted a young girl in his extended family for more than two years, beginning when she was eight. He threatened the child with a weapon kept in his vehicle’s center console and used force and intimidation to silence her.
During the investigation, a forensic search of Venturagarcia’s cell phone uncovered images of a young boy, leading to an additional charge of lewd acts on a child under 14 and possession of child sexual abuse material. Authorities also linked him to a 2023 report from another girl in the same apartment complex, who said he had abused her when she was nine.
District Attorney’s Statement
District Attorney Dan Dow said, “Three children and a young mother in our community lived for years under the control of a man who used force, threats, and fear to keep them silent. He told them no one would listen. He was wrong. These survivors found the courage to speak, our investigators and prosecutors listened, and this week a jury of twelve citizens unanimously told them: ‘we believe you.’ Nothing can undo what was taken from these victims, but this verdict ensures the man who harmed them will be held fully accountable and will never again be in a position to prey on a child.”
Dow also thanked the jurors, the Paso Robles Police Department, senior investigator Rene Vasquez, Deputy District Attorney Kalina Laleva, and the Victim Witness team for their dedication.
Next Steps
Venturagarcia remains in custody without bail and is scheduled for sentencing on December 16, 2026. He faces a maximum sentence of 510 years to life plus an additional three years and eight months in state prison. He will be required to register as a sex offender for life and is not eligible for probation.
Community members who suspect child abuse are urged to call the San Luis Obispo County 24‑Hour Child Abuse Hotline at 805‑781‑5437 or toll‑free at 1‑800‑834‑5437. Survivors can seek confidential support through the Lumina Alliance Crisis and Information Line at 805‑545‑8888 or the District Attorney’s Victim Witness Assistance Center at 805‑781‑5821. In emergencies, call 911.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
