Dwayne De Guzman faces 90 years in prison after pleading guilty in child abuse case | News

A 12-member jury found Dwayne Cruz De Guzman guilty of both child molestation charges on Friday after quick deliberations in the courtroom of Supreme Court Judge John C. Terlaje.

Each charge also included a special allegation of a vulnerable victim, specifically because the victim was 13 years of age or younger.

De Guzman, 33, was accused of touching a 12-year-old girl’s vagina on two separate occasions.

The victim had told police that she and De Guzman had been dating for more than a week.

When police seized De Guzman’s phone, they saw pages of sexually suggestive text messages between De Guzman and the girl.

On the witness stand Thursday, De Guzman said he could not describe how he felt receiving and sending the sexual text messages, only that something “clicked” and he was no longer himself.

De Guzman was also charged with indecent electronic enticement of a child.

Although he had recorded a video of himself masturbating, he denied ever sending the video to the victim and the jury found him not guilty on this charge.

Attorney General Douglas Moylan said his office will seek the maximum sentence for De Guzman’s two felony convictions.

Each first-degree felony charge, plus the vulnerable victim mention, carries a maximum of 45 years in prison, and Moylan said he would ask for the 90-year sentence.

“Pedophiles deserve life in prison,” he said.

Assistant Attorney General Christine Tenorio prosecuted the case. Public Defender William Bischoff represented De Guzman.

De Guzman was allowed to remain under house arrest until his sentencing, scheduled for 9 a.m. on January 30, 2025.

He left the courthouse and assisted his mother Anita, who was on crutches.

De Guzman said he did not know what to expect at the end of his trial.

“I really don’t know because it’s only my first time in court and my first time being arrested, so I really didn’t know,” he said.

De Guzman said he thought Bischoff did a good job as his attorney. He said that from now until his sentencing date in January, he plans to stay home, take care of the house that is being renovated, and care for his mother.

Pacific Daily News reporter Jojo Santo Tomas covers all topics of interest, including sports. Email him at [email protected].