Crime & Safety

Former RWC School Volunteer Found Guilty on Molestation Charges

Gerardo Gontiz faces a life sentence for his crimes against boys ages 13-17 that he met at Everest High School and his church.

Gerardo Gontiz, the Redwood City man accused of molesting 12 boys while volunteering at his son’s school and his church, was found guilty on 18 felony counts Wednesday in San Mateo County Superior Court.

On the third day of jury deliberations, guilty verdicts were returned on one count of lewd acts on a child, two counts of felony use of child pornography, three counts of felony oral copulation with a minor, one count of felony sodomy on a minor, eight counts of felony child molestation, and two counts of misdemeanor battery.
 
Gontiz, 49, now faces a minimum sentence of 15 years to life in prison; sentencing is set for Jan. 23, 2014 according to San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe,

He remains in San Mateo County Jail on a no-bail status. Gontiz’s defense attorney is Jonathan McDougall.

Prosecutors say Gontiz met the boys, ages 13-17, between August 2009 and May 2011 at Everest High School in Redwood City where his son was a student. He also made the acquaintance of his victims while volunteering church and on trips to Modesto Ranch, where he was a supervising parent. The prosecutor on the case is Sin-Mee Chang.


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