Judge Sentences Man to Prison for Child Molest

Defendant Robert Herrera was sentenced yesterday by the Honorable Laura Passaglia to 12 years and 8 months in prison. Herrera’s sentence was the result of his 2023 convictions following a jury trial involving charges that he molested two children.

District Attorney Carla Rodriguez stated: "Both victims had the courage to come forward and disclose Mr. Herrera's crimes despite their young ages. I applaud everyone that listened to them, believed them, and supported them throughout the investigation and trial."

The charges were brought forward in 2021 when one of the two child victims reported the abuse. At a jury trial in August of 2023, both victims testified about the abuse which had occurred around 2020-2021. After deliberations the jury found Herrera guilty of six charges of child molestation; two charges related to crimes Herrera committed against one child when she was younger than 14, and four charges for conduct with the other victim when she was 14 and 15 years old. 

At the sentencing hearing on April 24, 2024, the Honorable Laura Passaglia said she recalled the victims testifying about how difficult it was to come forward, and that all they wanted was to be heard and believed. Judge Passaglia said the 12 jurors had heard the victims and believed them by convicting Herrera. Judge Passaglia also noted that Herrera’s testimony and denials had not been credible. Judge Passaglia sentenced Herrera to the maximum prison sentence he faced for these charges, which is 12 years and 8 months in state prison. Mr. Herrera will also have to register as a sex offender for a minimum of 20 years after his release from prison.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Ashley W Hendon. Detective Jeff Sherman of Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office headed the investigation.