Orange County District Attorney Press Release
For Immediate Release, Case # M-12143: August 21, 2013
CHILD MOLESTER WHO MOLESTED TWO GIRLS TO BE RE-COMMITTED AS SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR
SANTA ANA – A child molester will be re-committed to a state mental hospital as a Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) after a unanimous jury found today that the offender is a continued threat to children and the community. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) filed a petition to have Carlos Dominguez, 65, committed as an SVP based on his prior convictions of sexual assaults against a 10-year-old female family relative and a 10-year-old daughter of a family friend.
Under the law, potential SVPs are subject to mental health reviews by the Department of Mental Health prior to completion of their criminal sentence. If the People are able to prove that the defendant meets SVP criteria, a petition is filed to have the defendant civilly committed. There are three criteria that must be met in order to designate a person as SVP. First, the defendant must have committed at least one qualifying sexually violent offense. Second, he/she must be diagnosed with a mental disorder. Finally, it must be found that he/she is likely to re-offend unless he/she is held in custody and treated.
If a unanimous jury finds beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant meets the SVP criteria, the defendant is committed to a secure mental care facility for treatment until he is safe for release.
1979 Criminal Case (Case # C-42496)
In 1979, Dominguez attended a family gathering and was introduced to female relative 10-year-old Jane Doe #1. He isolated the victim by asking her parent’s permission to take the victim to Knott’s Berry Farm as a birthday gift. On April 16, 1979, Dominguez picked Jane Doe #1 up in his van and took her to the amusement park.
After riding on a few rollercoasters, Dominguez asked Jane Doe #1 if she wanted to put her purse away in the van. Dominguez took the victim to the van, laid Jane Doe #1 on the floor of the van, took off her clothes, and tied a strap around her eyes to blindfold her. Dominguez fondled the victim’s chest, kissed her, and placed his penis between her legs. He covered Jane Doe #1’s mouth as she began to cry and scream and told her to be quiet as Dominguez sexually assaulted her.
On Nov. 30 1979, a jury found Dominguez guilty of one felony count of lewd and lascivious acts upon a minor and he was sentenced to three years in state prison. He was released on parole in 1983 but was sent back to state prison for violating his parole in 1985 after being arrested for false imprisonment and battery. Dominguez was released from state prison in May 1986.
1987 Criminal Case (Case # C-61736 )
In 1986, having just recently been released from state prison, Dominguez met 9-year-old Jane Doe #2 who was the daughter of a family friend. Dominguez asked Jane Doe #2’s mother if he could take the victim to Disneyland and told the victim’s mother that he would be going with his girlfriend and other young girls. On July 18, 1986, Dominguez drove the victim to the theme park and rode a few rides, ate lunch, and returned to the van with the victim.
When they reached the van, Dominguez told the victim he had some candy for her in the backseat. Dominguez led Jane Doe #2 to the back of the van, laid her on the floor, took off the victim’s clothes, tied a blindfold around her eyes, and fondled her chest and touched her vagina. Dominguez put his hand over the victim’s nose and mouth when she began to cry and scream but continued to sexually assault her.
On Feb. 19, 1987, Dominguez pleaded guilty to one felony count of forcible lewd and lascivious acts upon a minor and was sentenced to 11 years in state prison.
1994 Parole Violation
In 1994, Dominguez violated his parole by not residing at the address he had registered as a sex offender. A surveillance report also indicated that Dominguez had been leaving his apartment building and getting into a car with two minor girls. Dominguez drove the girls to another home where he picked up a third minor girl and drove them to school.
Dominguez had in his vehicle a key to the apartment where he picked up the two minor girls, a baseball bat, wood club, nylon rope, work gloves, a stun gun, 12 large chocolates bars, and several unused and unopened condoms.
In December 1994, Dominguez was sent back to state prison for 11 months and was released on parole in December 1995.
1996 Parole Violation
On Jan. 23, 1996, one month after being released, Dominguez continued contacting the minor girls from his 1994 parole violation. Dominguez possessed a letter with the minor victim’s address and a stockpile of ammunition. Dominguez was sent back to state prison.
On April 2, 1996, the OCDA filed an SVP petition to have Dominguez civilly committed. He has been found to meet SVP by 12 jurors. A unanimous jury found today that Dominguez continues to meet the SVP criteria and poses a serious risk to children and the community.
If Dominguez were to be released, his lifetime sex offender registration would bar him from entering County recreational areas and City parks which have passed the Sex Offender Ordinance. Visit http://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.
Deputy District Attorney Michael Carroll of the Sexual Assault Unit handled this case for the OCDA.
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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
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