Convicted child molester Brian Douglas Schmitt Sr. has been sentenced to life behind bars, the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office announced. The 78-year-old Petaluma resident received a 30-year to life sentence following a January trial where a jury found him guilty of a series of heinous sex offenses against a child.

Addressing the aftermath of Schmitt's actions, District Attorney Rodriguez said, "This defendant put the victim and, victim’s entire family, through a devastating experience. We hope this jury’s verdict, and the court’s sentence, give them some sense of solace," as reported on the District Attorney's official website.

The prosecution presented evidence showing Schmitt had wormed his way into the trust of the victim's family, repeatedly spending time with the child until their courage to disclose the abuse in July 2022. Schmitt's reprehensible acts involved sexual penetration of a child ten years of age or younger and committing lewd acts on a child under fourteen. After the trial, the jury swiftly returned guilty verdicts on all counts against Schmitt.

In pleading for leniency during sentencing, Schmitt blamed marijuana for his criminal behavior. However, Judge LaForge remained unswayed. Instead, Judge LaForge pointed out "the incredible damage that you have done to a number of people, basically, an entire family that is going to carry on for years." He then branded Schmitt as a continued threat, "a danger to the community [and] a danger to the children" before doling out the maximum allowed punishment.

Deputy District Attorney Brian Morimune led the prosecution effort, with assistance from District Attorney Investigator Stephen Bussell. The Petaluma Police Department's Sergeant Ronald Flores spearheaded the investigation, culminating in Schmitt's conviction and eventual life sentence.