Rothbury man faces prison time for allegedly molesting 12-year-old girl

Garcia

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor.

HART — A 47-year-old Rothbury man faces more than three and a half years in prison for allegedly molesting a 12-year-old girl.

Senovio Garcia, Jr., pleaded no contest Monday morning, Feb. 2, in 27th Circuit Court to one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC) during a pretrial hearing. He was initially facing two counts first-degree CSC and two counts of second-degree CSC. The other three counts were dismissed and his prison time will be capped at 43 months in exchange for his plea.

Oceana County Prosecutor Joe Bizon said the alleged molestations occurred over a period of time. The maximum penalty for first-degree CSC, which involves penetration, is life in prison. The maximum sentence for second-degree CSC, which involves sexual contact, is 15 years in prison. Bizon said the plea agreement was acceptable to the victim’s family to avoid putting the child through the emotional stress of a trial. Judge Anthony A. Monton said Garcia could be subjected to lifetime electronic monitoring following his release from prison.

During Monday’s hearing, Bizon submitted a “lengthy police investigation report” to the court.

Garcia is currently free on a $50,000 cash/surety bond. His sentencing is set for March 16 at 9 a.m.