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The People of the State of California v. Paige Gratn McQuay
Date: 10-16-2026
Case Number:
Judge: Not Available
Court: Superior Court, Placer County, California
Plaintiff's Attorney: Placer County, California, District Attorney's Office
Defendant's Attorney:
Click Here For The Best Auburn Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory
Description:
Auburn, California, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with attempted lewd and lascivious acts on a minor under 14 and communicating with a minor with the intent commit an unlawful sexual offense.
Paige Grant McQuay, a former Fresno police sergeant, age 56, was arrested by the Roseville Police Department in a sting operation that resulted in the arrest of 19 total individuals.
California does not have a single standalone statute labeled an "attempted lewd and lascivious law."
Instead, an attempt to commit a lewd or lascivious act is prosecuted by combining California's general attempt statute (Penal Code § 664) with the primary child molestation statute, California Penal Code § 288(a).
Core Legal Framework
• Underlying Offense (PC 288(a)): Prohibits willfully and lewdly committing any sexual act or touching upon a child under the age of 14 with the specific intent to arouse, appeal to, or gratify the sexual desires of the person or the child.
• Attempt Law (PC 664): General criminal law in California that punishes a person who attempts to commit a crime, but fails or is prevented or intercepted in its perpetration.
• What the Prosecution Must Prove:
• The defendant took a direct, unequivocal step toward committing a lewd or lascivious act with a child under 14 (beyond mere preparation).
• The defendant acted with the specific intent to commit the underlying offense (sexual arousal or gratification).
• Note that under California law, actual physical contact or actual sexual arousal is not required for an attempt charge if a direct step with the requisite intent took place.
Penalties
• An attempted crime under Penal Code 288 is typically treated as a serious felony, carrying a reduced state prison sentence compared to a completed violation of PC 288(a) (which carries 3, 6, or 8 years), though it still qualifies as a felony strike under California’s Three Strikes Law and can trigger mandatory sex offender registration requirements.
Paige Grant McQuay, a former Fresno police sergeant, age 56, was arrested by the Roseville Police Department in a sting operation that resulted in the arrest of 19 total individuals.
California does not have a single standalone statute labeled an "attempted lewd and lascivious law."
Instead, an attempt to commit a lewd or lascivious act is prosecuted by combining California's general attempt statute (Penal Code § 664) with the primary child molestation statute, California Penal Code § 288(a).
Core Legal Framework
• Underlying Offense (PC 288(a)): Prohibits willfully and lewdly committing any sexual act or touching upon a child under the age of 14 with the specific intent to arouse, appeal to, or gratify the sexual desires of the person or the child.
• Attempt Law (PC 664): General criminal law in California that punishes a person who attempts to commit a crime, but fails or is prevented or intercepted in its perpetration.
• What the Prosecution Must Prove:
• The defendant took a direct, unequivocal step toward committing a lewd or lascivious act with a child under 14 (beyond mere preparation).
• The defendant acted with the specific intent to commit the underlying offense (sexual arousal or gratification).
• Note that under California law, actual physical contact or actual sexual arousal is not required for an attempt charge if a direct step with the requisite intent took place.
Penalties
• An attempted crime under Penal Code 288 is typically treated as a serious felony, carrying a reduced state prison sentence compared to a completed violation of PC 288(a) (which carries 3, 6, or 8 years), though it still qualifies as a felony strike under California’s Three Strikes Law and can trigger mandatory sex offender registration requirements.
Outcome:
The Defendant was found guilty.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of The People of the State of California v. Paige Gratn McQuay?
The outcome was: The Defendant was found guilty.
Which court heard The People of the State of California v. Paige Gratn McQuay?
This case was heard in Superior Court, Placer County, California, CA. The presiding judge was Not Available.
Who were the attorneys in The People of the State of California v. Paige Gratn McQuay?
Plaintiff's attorney: Placer County, California, District Attorney's Office. Defendant's attorney: Click Here For The Best Auburn Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory.
When was The People of the State of California v. Paige Gratn McQuay decided?
This case was decided on October 16, 2026.