Jesus Colmenero Rivera
(8/29/07 - Initial BBT Report)
Jesus Colmenero Rivera, 45, a former Spanish and drama teacher at Golden Valley High School, in Merced, California, already facing numerous charges for the alleged sexual abuse of five boys, ages 14 - 17-years-old, has been jailed on an additional charge which prosecutors previously overlooked.
After taking over the case in June, Deputy District Attorney David Sandhaus in looking over transcripts of a preliminary hearing for Rivera three years ago discovered an alleged offense for which Rivera had not been formally charged. At an August 22 court hearing for Rivera, Sandhaus made a motion to add a charge of penetration with a foreign object of a person under 18 and the judge granted the motion.
Rivera was thereafter re-arrested and lodged in the John Latorraca Correctional Facility on an additional $200,000 bail. Rivera’s lawyer called the prosecutions tactics “low life”, saying that Rivera has been free on bail for more than two years and has been present for every court date.
Rivera is scheduled for trial on September 24 on four counts of lewd and lascivious acts upon a child, one count of sexual battery by use of restraint, penetration with a foreign object of a person under 18, oral copulation and two misdemeanor counts of annoying or molesting a child in addition to the newest charge. Investigators believe the abuse dates back to 2002 and occurred in the school’s theater as well as in Rivera’s apartment.
Rivera was removed from his duties at the school in January 2004, two days after two of the alleged victims came forward with their allegations against him.
Rivera remains in the protective custody wing of the jail while supporters attempt to raise the additional $200,000 bail. In July 2004 while in jail, Rivera was severely beaten by another jail inmate.
11/28/07 - Guilty on 6 of 9 Counts
Jesus Colmenero Rivera was today found guilty on six of nine counts of child molestation.
The jury found Rivera guilty of one count oral copulation with a person under age 18 and four counts of lewd or lascivious acts on a 14- or 15-year-old child and one misdemeanor count of annoying or molesting a child for biting one of the victims on the toe.
Following his conviction Rivera was remanded into the custody of the Merced County Sheriff’s Department and is being held in the John Latorraca Correctional Facility awaiting sentencing on December 24th.
Rivera faces up to 6 years in prison and having to register as a sex offender.
12/26/07 - Sentencing Delayed
Sentencing for Jesus Colmenero Rivera scheduled from December 24th was delayed until January 29th in response to a defense motion in which Rivera’s lawyer said a witness key to their plan to pursue a new trial is unavailable to testify until later in January.
2/15/08 - Sentencing
Today Jesus Rivera was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison, with credit for the year he’s already spent in jail.
Rivera will be required to register as a sex offender when released from prison.
References:
Judge Sentenced Jesus Rivera (2/15/08)
Sentencing delayed for teacher convicted of molesting students (12/25/07)
Merced molester guilty on 6 counts (11/29/07)
Former Merced teacher convicted for molestation (11/28/07)
Charge added to teacher’s molest case (8/29/07)
Prosecutor adds charge to ex-teacher accused of abuse (8/29/07)
