22 Year Old Santa Rosa Man Sentenced to Prison for Child Molest

Defendant Aldair Esquivel-Zarza, 22 years old of Santa Rosa, was sentenced today by the Honorable Shelly Averill to serve 8 years and 4 months in state prison following his plea to several sexual offenses against a minor.

District Attorney Jill Ravitch stated, “The defendant preyed on this young child for the purposes of his own gratification. As a direct result he will now spend a significant amount of time in state prison and will be a lifetime sex registrant. The facts of this case should serve as a reminder to parents to check in on their children’s screen activity.”

The victim, who was 13 years old at the time, met the defendant on SnapChat. The defendant told the victim he was 14. They agreed to meet in a park to hang out. When the defendant arrived the victim realized he was older than 14. He eventually admitted he was in fact 20 years old. During the meeting the defendant gave her marijuana, and they hung out in his car. Ultimately, while she was under the influence of marijuana, he committed several sex acts with her. Later, he messaged her wanting to meet again, and asking her to send him nude photos. When the police messaged with him, pretending to be the victim, he agreed to meet at the park again, and to bring condoms for sex. The police arrested him on the way to the park.

The defendant pled to a charge of committing a lewd act with a child under 14, communication with a minor with the intent to solicit child pornography, and sexual penetration with a minor who is prevented from resisting by a controlled substance, marijuana. The defendant pled with the agreement that he would be sentenced to 8 years 4 months in prison. He will also have to register as a sexual offender pursuant to Penal Code section 290 for the rest of his life.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Ashley W Hendon, assisted by District Attorney Victim Advocate Elizabeth Garcia, and District Attorney Investigator Marilyn McCarthy. Detective Daniel Avina of Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office headed the investigation.