Jury convicts Paso Robles man of child sexual abuse

A San Luis Obispo County jury has found a Paso Robles man guilty of sexually abusing two children over a span of nearly 14 years, capping a weeklong trial with a verdict that prosecutors say reflects both the courage of the survivors and the resolve of the local justice system.

SLO County District Attorney Dan Dow announced Thursday that Teodulo Vasquezjimenez, born June 18, 1985, was convicted on all 15 felony counts brought against him, according to the Paso Robles Daily News. The offenses occurred in Paso Robles between 2009 and 2023, when both victims were 14 years old or younger.

What the Jury Found

Following a weeklong trial, the jury returned guilty verdicts on 14 counts of committing a lewd act upon a child under the age of 14 and one count of committing a lewd act upon a child age 14, the DA's office announced. KEYT News reported that the 41-year-old was found guilty of all 15 felony counts related to the sexual abuse of the two children.

The jury also made two critical additional findings. First, it determined that Vasquezjimenez committed the offenses against multiple young victims — a finding that triggers significantly increased penalties under California law, including the potential for multiple life sentences, the DA's office said. Second, the jury found aggravating circumstances: that Vasquezjimenez abused a position of trust and confidence to carry out the offenses, and that the victims were particularly vulnerable.

During the trial, both survivors took the stand. KEYT reported that "the two survivors of Vasquezjimenez's crimes described the repeated sexual abuse they suffered over several years in Paso Robles during the trial."

What Comes Next: Sentencing in August

Vasquezjimenez now faces a maximum sentence of 280 years to life in state prison. Sentencing is scheduled for August 11 at 1:30 p.m. in Department 1 of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, with Judge Rita Federman presiding, according to the DA's office.

The aggravating findings made by the jury — abuse of trust and victim vulnerability — are expected to weigh heavily in sentencing arguments. Under California law, when a defendant is convicted of offenses against multiple victims, courts may impose consecutive sentences, which is the mechanism that produces the extraordinarily high maximum in this case.

The Investigation and Prosecution Team

The case was investigated by the Paso Robles Police Department, with assistance from the District Attorney's Office Bureau of Investigation, officials said. It was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Kristin Barnard of the DA's Office Sex Crimes Unit.

Victim support services throughout the process were provided by the DA's Christopher G. Money Victim Witness Assistance Center — named in honor of the late Christopher Money, a former district attorney and retired SLO County Superior Court judge. The center, established in 1977, has served crime victims across San Luis Obispo County for nearly five decades. Victim Advocates Aracely Maldonado and Tristan Milledge, and Witness Coordinator Kellie Navarro, were specifically identified as having supported the victims in this case.

The center works to "reduce the trauma, frustration and inconvenience experienced by victims, witnesses, and family members affected by crime" and provides a wide range of services — from crisis intervention to court accompaniment — to thousands of victims each year.

Local Context: A Long Timeline of Alleged Abuse

The 14-year span of the alleged offenses — from 2009 to 2023 — underscores how long child sexual abuse cases can remain hidden before victims come forward, a pattern that victim advocates across the county have worked to address. Both victims were children throughout the entire duration of the abuse, officials said.

The case reflects broader prosecution priorities for DA Dow's office, which has a dedicated Sex Crimes Unit and has pursued a string of child sexual abuse prosecutions across the county in recent years. Dow, first elected district attorney in June 2014 and reelected twice since, has made crimes against children and vulnerable victims a cornerstone of his prosecutorial agenda.

"This verdict reflects the courage of the victims who came forward and the careful, thoughtful work of our criminal and victim justice system," Dow said in a statement. "We are deeply grateful to the jury for their time, attention, and commitment to evaluating difficult and disturbing evidence."

Resources for Survivors

The District Attorney's Office is urging anyone who has experienced sexual abuse to seek help and to know they are not alone. Confidential advocacy services are available through the Christopher G. Money Victim Witness Assistance Center, which provides services including crisis intervention, emergency assistance, court escort and support, and help navigating the Victim Compensation Program. The center can be reached at (805) 781-5821.

Officials also encouraged victims to report abuse to local law enforcement — both to prompt investigation and to prevent ongoing harm to others. The Paso Robles Police Department can be contacted at (805) 237-6464.

Sentencing for Teodulo Vasquezjimenez is scheduled for August 11, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. in Department 1 of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court.