Anaheim Hills man convicted of sexually assaulting a 13-year old Tustin boy

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 12CF0738: September 5, 2013

MAN CONVICTED OF SEXUALLY ASSAULTING 13-YEAR-OLD BOY AFTER LURING HIM INSIDE LIBRARY BATHROOM

SANTA ANA – A man was convicted today of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old boy after he lured him inside a library bathroom. Robert Howard Claudio, 24, Anaheim Hills, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of kidnapping for child molesting, four felony counts of lewd acts with a minor under 14, and sentencing enhancement allegations for substantial sexual conduct with a child and increasing the risk of harm by kidnapping. He faces a minimum sentence of 15 years to life in state prison and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration at his sentencing Nov. 8, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-43, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

On the afternoon of March 9, 2012, Claudio approached 13-year-old John Doe in the Teen Room of the public library in Tustin while the victim was waiting for his mother to pick him up. Claudio convinced the victim that he was studying to be a social worker and was used to talking to younger boys. Claudio lured John Doe into a library bathroom and molested the victim by engaging in substantial sexual conduct.

John Doe told Claudio to stop and escaped from the bathroom. He ran to the Tustin Police Department (TPD) around the corner and immediately reported the sexual assault. During this same time, Claudio contacted a passing police officer and reported that the victim had solicited him to engage in sex acts. Claudio was arrested immediately.

Claudio’s mandatory lifetime sex offender registration will bar him from entering County recreational areas and City parks which have passed the Sex Offender Ordinance. Visit www.orangecountyda.com to read the prior press releases on the County’s Sex Offender Ordinance as well as the 14 other cities that have enacted the Child Safety Zone Ordinance.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Jana Hoffmann of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case.

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Tony Rackauckas, District Attorney 401 Civic Center Drive West Santa Ana, CA 92701

Contacts:

Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718

Farrah Emami Spokesperson Office: 714-347-8405 Cell: 714-323-4486