Decades after a heinous crime against young campers in Folsom, a resolution has finally emerged. Convicted sex offender Matthew Muller, responsible for a series of crimes including a high-profile kidnapping in Vallejo, has pleaded guilty to additional charges stemming from a cold case in 1993. The Sacramento County District Attorney announced that last Wednesday, Muller admitted his involvement in the kidnapping and sexual assault of a young girl near Folsom Lake. At the time of the assault, Muller was 16 and has since agreed to be tried as an adult.
Aged 48 today, Muller's past has been scrutinized after a breakthrough in forensic science and technology linked him to the decades-old crime. The District Attorney's Cold Case, Science & Technology Unit played a crucial role in uncovering the evidence needed to file charges against Muller. Standing before the court, he recounted the chilling incident, where a male camper, along with the female victim he sexually assaulted, were ordered out of their tent at gunpoint.
According to the District Attorney's statement, Muller will now add an 11-year-to-life state prison sentence to his already heavy list of punishments. This new sentence is set to be served consecutive to a life sentence for assault to commit a sex crime in Santa Clara and a 40-year sentence for federal crimes, including the infamous 2015 Vallejo kidnapping, which was detailed in the documentary “American Nightmare.”
"This case is a powerful reminder that the pursuit of justice never ends," District Attorney Thien Ho said. Muller's guilty plea has effectively brought a close to a haunting chapter for the victims and the community. The implication is clear, according to Ho, a dangerous sex offender is being held accountable for a past filled with crimes against the unsuspecting. As a testament to law enforcement's persistence, this guilty plea marks a significant victory in the fight against crime, according to the District Attorney's Office.
