Noe Simental Arce
Another convicted child molester has been sentenced to prison, according to a District Attorney’s Office news release.
D.A. Dan Dow said Noe Simental Arce, 48 of Paso Robles, was sentenced to 12-years in State Prison, “for the molestation of a child who was under-14 years of age. The crimes occurred on numerous occasions over a 2-to-3-year period. Arce was convicted on May 8,” the release said, “after a nearly 3-week jury trial.”
Arce was convicted on four total counts including “lewd and lascivious acts and sexual penetration,” the release said. “The jury’s deliberation also found that there were two factors in aggravation: (1) the victim was particularly vulnerable, and (2) Arce exploited a position of trust and confidence with the young victim when he committed the crimes. The law allows additional consequences in sentencing when factors in aggravation have been proved.” Such aggravating circumstances often mean the victim and the accused are either related or have families that are close.
The victim’s mother spoke at the sentencing hearing, telling the Hon. Judge Catherine Swysen, of the damage Arce’s actions have had on her family.
“She told the Judge that her daughter said, ‘She begs God in her prayers to make her ‘normal’ again.’ The victim’s mother added, ‘we will not be broken. These crimes are the worst in our communities and they cannot be tolerated.’”
The little girl victim was more charitable. In a statement from her and read into the record by D.A. Victim Advocate, Dona Reed, “The victim expressed that she has forgiven him and hopes that her ‘coming forward may prevent this from happening to someone else.’ She expressed how ‘proud (she) was for being so brave and speaking up for (herself).’”
D.A. Dow admires the victim’s courage. “The victim survivor,” he said, “demonstrated strength and courage by her actions and participation in the criminal and victim justice system. It is because of her willingness to come forward and participate, that we were able to bring him to justice and prevent him from hurting any other children.”
The prosecutor in the case, Chief Dep. D.A. Lisa Muscari wanted the maximum sentence given that the molestation went on for so long; however, the defendant asked for leniency in the form of probation. The judge came down in the middle.
Judge Swysen, “denied the defendant’s request for probation but imposed a lighter sentence than the prosecutor requested. The Judge also ordered Mr. Arce to register as a sexual offender.”
Paso Robles Police were the lead investigators in the case with help from the D.A.’s Bureau of Investigation Child Forensic Interview Team, according to the news release.
The case saw the County bring in its full victim assistance team. “The young victim and her family were supported by the multi-disciplinary team of the San Luis Obispo County Child Advocacy Center, the District Attorney’s Victim Witness Assistance Center, and Courthouse Dog Program.”
