LOS ANGELES
Judge George Gonzalez Lomeli sentenced former Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy Sean Essex to 40 years in state prison.
Essex plead no contest Friday to sexually abusing four girls who were between the ages of 4 and 13, prosecutors stated.
One victim was abused in 2006, while three victims were abused between 2013 and 2022.
53-year-old Essex is also required to register as a sex offender.
“The horrific sexual abuse that Mr. Essex inflicted on these young victims has not only violated his oath as a law enforcement officer to protect and serve the community but also has left these children with life-long trauma,” District Attorney George Gascón said. “Children have an inviolate right to safety and protection. The victims have shown tremendous courage in coming forward to speak about their abuse at the hands of Mr. Essex. Our office’s Bureau of Victim’s Services will continue to offer assistance and resources to the victims and their families to help them heal as they cope with this trauma.”
Essex pleaded no contest to three counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14; and one count of lewd and lascivious acts on a child under 14. Essex further admitted to taking advantage of a position of trust in the commission of the crime and that one victim was especially vulnerable.
Before his arrest in April 2022, Mr. Essex had been a sheriff’s deputy for 22 years. At the time of his arrest, he was assigned to the department’s Training Bureau.
The court has ordered Mr. Essex to make restitution to the victims in an amount to be determined later.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau investigated the case.