Petaluma Man Sentenced to One Hundred Years-to-Life for Molesting Two Children

Defendant Pedro Ibanez, 46 years old of Petaluma, was sentenced earlier today to serve one hundred years-to-life in state prison by the Honorable Bradford DeMeo after having been found guilty by a jury in November of last year to four felony counts of child molestation with enhancements for having multiple victims under the age of 14. 

This underlying incidents began in 2008 when the defendant’s wife began taking children into her home to provide daycare.  At approximately this time the parents of one of the victims began taking her to that home on occasion while the parents were at work. The victim was between the ages of 1 and 2 years old at that time. During the trial, the victim, now 13 years old, testified that on several occasions when the defendant was home he would take her into his bedroom, show her pornography, and then molest her.  The victim reported the defendant to a school counselor when she was 11 years old.

Petaluma Police Department investigated the case and discovered a second victim. The investigation revealed that the second victim had been taken to the defendant’s home when she was approximately 4 to 6 years old.  Now 12 years old, the second victim testified that she too had been molested by the defendant while she was at his house.

During Tuesday’s sentencing hearing, the court heard powerful statements by both victims and one of the victim’s mothers.  The Judge noted in sentencing Mr. Ibanez that the evidence showed the defendant’s callousness towards these victims who were particularly vulnerable.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Ashley W Hendon, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Robin Katz.  Petaluma Detective Walter Spiller headed the investigation.