On July 7, 2021, a jury found defendant Jose Merced Jacobo-Contreras guilty of seven felony counts of child molestation and found there was more than one victim. This verdict came after the jury heard two days of evidence including testimony from the children, their mother, and an expert on Child Sexual Abuse Accommodation Syndrome, among others.The defendant is facing up to 125 years to life in state prison. The sentencing hearing is currently scheduled for August 2, 2021 in department 1 before the Honorable Judge Vicki Ashworth.
This case was investigated by Detectives from the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office. The children were interviewed in a forensic setting by DA Investigator Rhiannon Grotke who is a specially trained interviewer from the District Attorney’s Office.
This case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Brittany Griffith from the Special Victims Unit.
