Santa Ana man convicted of sex crimes against girls he met at church

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: October 1, 2014

Case # 11CF3067

MAN CONVICTED OF SEXUALLY ASSAULTING TWO GIRLS BETWEEN AGES 9 AND 12 AFTER MEETING THEM AT CHURCH AND BEFRIENDING THEIR FAMILIES

SANTA ANA – A man was convicted today of sexually assaulting two girls between ages 9 and 12 after meeting them through church and befriending their families. David Elifar Verduzco, 35, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury of three felony counts of lewd acts upon a child under 14, one felony count of sexual penetration with a child 10 years or younger, one misdemeanor count each of child annoyance and disorderly conduct. The sentencing enhancement allegations for substantial sexual conduct with a child and lewd acts on multiple children were found true. He faces a maximum sentence of 30 years to life in state prison and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration at his sentencing on Oct. 17, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-43, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

At the time of the crime, Verduzco was a parishioner of Agape House of Prayer in Anaheim, where he was a worship team leader and gave electronic keyboard lessons. The defendant met both of the victims and their families at the church and befriended them.

Between Jan. 1, 2011, and Sept. 27, 2011, Verduzco gave 12-year-old Jane Doe #2 keyboard lessons. During the lessons, the defendant kissed her on the cheek and inappropriately touched the victim’s thigh. Verduzco also sent Jane Doe #2 inappropriate text messages to her cell phone.

On Aug. 28, 2011, after befriending 9-year-old Jane Doe #1’s family, Verduzco began babysitting Jane Doe #1 and two other little girls while Jane Doe #1’s parents were at the hospital. After putting the two youngest girls to bed, Verduzco digitally penetrated Jane Doe #1 in her bed.

The Tustin Police Department, who investigated this case, recovered a deleted video recording from the defendant’s cell phone that was taping video while positioned underneath Jane Doe #2’s skirt while she was singing and playing the keyboard.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Jana Hoffmann, formerly of the Sexual Assault Unit, and now Assistant Head of Court in the Harbor Justice Center, 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
Director of Public Affairs
Office: 714-347-8405
Cell: 714-323-4486