On Friday a Stockton man pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a child who later reported the abuse to school staff. Jorge Mellado‑Ferusca admitted to one count under Penal Code section 288.7(a), which applies when an adult has sexual intercourse with a child 10 years of age or younger. Prosecutors say he faces a potential prison term of 25 years to life. Sentencing is set for Dec. 10 in Department 8C of the San Joaquin County Superior Court, according to the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office.
According to San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office, Mellado‑Ferusca pleaded guilty Friday and sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 10, 2025, in Department 8C of the San Joaquin County Superior Court. The office says the victim told school staff she had been assaulted for years beginning when she was about 4 and first reported the abuse at about age 11. Prosecutors say Mellado‑Ferusca was arrested after attempting to take the child from her school, and that he confessed after being read his Miranda rights. Investigators recovered hundreds of videos and images from his phone, including material the office says depicted children as young as 1 year old; some clips reportedly show the defendant recording assaults of the victim.
Investigation and prosecution
The DA credited Stockton Police Detectives Romero and Toon, victim‑witness advocate Joanna Sierra, Deputy District Attorney Victor Bachand and agents from Homeland Security Investigations for their roles in the probe. "This guilty plea ensures he will face the full weight of the law," District Attorney Ron Freitas said in a statement, according to San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office.
What the law says
Under California law, Penal Code §288.7 makes sexual intercourse or sodomy with a child 10 years old or younger a felony punishable by 25 years to life; oral copulation or other sexual penetration under §288.7(b) carries a 15‑to‑life term. The statute imposes lengthy mandatory terms for offenses involving the youngest victims, and the judge will impose a sentence at the Dec. 10 hearing, as reported by the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office.
Support for survivors and next steps
The DA's office said victim‑witness advocates are assisting the survivor and that San Joaquin County's Family Justice Center coordinates services for victims of sexual assault and child abuse. For information about local resources and victim services see the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office. The criminal case will return to the San Joaquin County Superior Court on Dec. 10 for sentencing.
Legal implications
If the court imposes a term under §288.7(a), the defendant would face a minimum of 25 years before parole eligibility and long‑term consequences including sex‑offender registration and parole supervision. The Dec. 10 hearing will take place at the San Joaquin County Superior Court, 180 E Weber Ave in Stockton; for court contact and location details see the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office.
Prosecutors say the guilty plea spares the survivor and community a trial, but sentencing will determine whether the state seeks the maximum term prosecutors outlined. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact local law enforcement or the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office.
