The People v. Luis Ceja Nunez

Monterey, California criminal defense lawyer represented defendant charged with child molestation.



Salinas resident Luis Ceja Nunez, age 44, was accused of molesting two children. On October 28, 2021, a jury found Nunez guilty of 19 felony counts of child molestation. All of the counts are violent felonies and are considered "strikes” under California's Three Strikes law. In addition to his prison sentence, Nunez is required to register as a sex offender for life.



In December 2019, John Doe 1, age 31, reported that Nunez, a family member, sexually abused him continuously from when he was around 7 or 8 years old until he was around 14 years old. Nunez repeatedly told John Doe 1 not to tell anyone about the molestation. John Doe 1's sister, Jane Doe 2, also reported to law enforcement that Nunez sexually assaulted her from when she was 5 years old until she was 12 years old. Nunez told Jane Doe 2 not to tell anyone about the molests because it would cause her family to separate. Both victims stated that they waited many years to report the crimes because they were embarrassed about what happened to them and they loved Nunez.



At trial, John Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2 bravely testified about the repeated instances of molestation occurring throughout their childhood. An expert in the psychological effects of child sexual abuse also testified that delayed disclosures of molestation are incredibly common due to numerous factors including the power imbalance between the perpetrator and victim, threats to not say anything, fear, and even affection for a perpetrator if he/she is a close family member, friend, or authority figure.



The case was investigated by Detective Pedro Gomez and retired Officer Masahiro Yoneda from the Salinas Police Department as well as District Attorney Investigators Pablo Andrade and Carlos De Santiago. John Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2 were supported by District Attorney Victim Advocate Martamaria Rosado.

Defendant was sentenced to 257 years to life in state prison.