Attorney General Rob Bonta said Friday that Eugene Anthony Souza has been sentenced to 36 years in state prison for sexually abusing a young family member in Kings County, calling it the maximum punishment the law allows for the crimes in this case.
What the Attorney General Announced
In a post on X, Rob Bonta said Souza was “found guilty on all charges” and handed a 36-year state prison term in Kings County. Bonta added that “we remain steadfast in our commitment to protect the children of California,” a pointed reminder that his office continues to prioritize child exploitation cases. The post did not include charging documents or the sentencing judge’s written or spoken remarks.
AG’s Broader Enforcement Effort
The Attorney General’s office has for years been involved in multiagency operations and prosecutions targeting child exploitation and human trafficking across California, pairing criminal enforcement with services for survivors and prevention work. In past cases, California Department of Justice press releases have highlighted similar prosecutions and pointed to help available through the DOJ’s Victims’ Services Unit.
Legal Context
California law provides heavy penalties for child sexual abuse. Statutes such as Penal Code 288 (lewd acts with a minor) and Penal Code 288.5 (continuous sexual abuse of a child) allow for prison terms that can range from several years to multiple decades, depending on how many counts are charged and what aggravating factors are proven. For specifics, see Penal Code 288 and Penal Code 288.5. Bonta’s post did not spell out which exact charges or counts combined to reach the 36-year total sentence.
What Remains Unclear
Key court records were not immediately available at the time of the Attorney General’s announcement. The indictment, detailed charging documents, and the formal sentencing minutes from Kings County Superior Court had not yet appeared in public records, and no local press release laying out the charges or quoting the judge had been posted. This story will be updated if the Kings County docket or prosecutors later release those filings or the full sentencing transcript.
Help and Resources for Survivors
Victims, family members, or advocates looking for support can contact the California Department of Justice Victims’ Services Unit at 1‑877‑433‑9069 or visit the DOJ’s victim services page for information on counseling, compensation, and advocacy. The Victims’ Services Unit offers statewide assistance and connects people with local organizations that specialize in supporting survivors of abuse.
