Man Sentenced To 13 Years For Sex Crimes

Defendant Brent Spivey, 24 years old of Walnut, California, was sentenced today by the Honorable Jamie Thistlethwaite to 13 years in prison for numerous sex crimes he committed against a 13-year old Sonoma County girl. Spivey pled guilty to several counts of committing, and attempting to commit, lewd and lascivious acts with a minor, sexual penetration of a minor more than10 years younger than himself, and using a minor to create child pornography.

Late last year Spivey approached the victim on an anonymous live-chat website where he there after sent her pornographic videos and images of himself. The victim initially told Spivey she was 16. However, when she told him her true age was 13 (including telling him of her plans to attend a party for her 8^th grade graduation) he told her that was “even better.” Spivey eventually lured her into sending videos of herself to him, and ultimately drove up from Southern California to meet her in person. He arrived with “gifts” of marijuana, roses, and a tent for shelter. Petaluma Police were alerted to the incident, and subsequently posed as the victim in a web chat with the defendant. When he arranged to return to Petaluma for another sexual encounter with the girl, he was greeted and detained by detectives who found his tent at a nearby creek stocked with condoms, lubricant, and whipped cream.

Jane Doe and her mother tearfully addressed the court today during sentencing, as Spivey looked on with no observable reaction.

District Attorney Jill Ravitch stated, “The victim in this case should be commended for her bravery. The courage she showed throughout this case helped to make sure this predator will be removed from this community for a long period of time, and will be required to register as a sex offender for life.”

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Andrew Lukas. Detective Walter Spiller of the Petaluma Police Department headed the investigation.