Santa Rosa Man Sentenced to 36 Years in Prison for Child Sexual Assault

Defendant Ambrosio Leiva-Moreno, 32 years old, of Santa Rosa, California, was sentenced on November 15, 2023, by the Honorable Laura Passaglia to 36 years in the state prison. This sentence follows Leiva-Moreno’s convictions related to sexually assaulting a child.

District Attorney Carla Rodriguez stated: “The 36-year prison term is entirely appropriate given the irreparable harm inflicted on a young child by Mr. Leiva-Moreno. My hope is that this sentence will provide some solace to the victim, moving forward in life.”

The charges against Leiva-Moreno stem from two separate sexual assaults committed against a 12-year-old child. Leiva-Moreno was a trusted adult figure in the child’s life, and this provided Leiva-Moreno with access to the child and the opportunity to commit his crimes. In September 2023, Leiva-Moreno pled guilty to several forcible sexual assault offenses, and on November 15, 2023, he was sentenced to 36 years in prison for those crimes. Before pronouncing Leiva-Moreno’s sentence, Judge Passaglia listened to the victim’s impact statement which was read in court by a victim advocate on the victim’s behalf. Judge Passaglia then addressed Leiva-Moreno, indicated that she hoped he was listening to the words of the victim and that he understood the damage his actions had caused. 

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Ashley W. Hendon. Detective Matt Sanchez of Santa Rosa Police Department headed the investigation.