A 68-year-old Solano man faces what could be the rest of his life behind bars after being found guilty earlier this week in Solano County Superior Court for multiple child sex assaults.
After a six-day trial, a jury on Tuesday found Robert Fernandez guilty of two counts of sexual penetration with a child under 10 years of age and three counts of a lewd act on a child under 14 years of age, all felonies, according to District Attorney Krishna Abrams, whose office issued a press statement.
The jury, who heard the case in Department 2 in Vallejo, also made three findings: The victim was particularly vulnerable, Fernandez took advantage of a position of trust, and his conduct constituted substantial sexual conduct.
After the verdict, Fernandez was immediately taken into custody and booked into Solano County Jail in Fairfield without bail.
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According to court records, Fernandez and his wife often visited the victim and her family where they resided in Solano County. During the years 2018 and 2019, he visited their residence on five occasions.
During each of those visits, Fernandez took advantage of a child under the age of 10. He would isolate the child from her family and molest her. He also would threaten the child, saying she would get in trouble if she told anyone. Fernandez gave the child money after the abuse. Additionally, Fernandez sexually battered a relative of the child in October 2020.
The child did not initially disclose the abuse because Fernandez told her not to. However, she ultimately came forward after learning he had also violated her relative and testifed at trial.
Judge Daniel Healy, who presided over the trial, ordered Fernandez to return for a pre-sentencing report and sentencing at 8:30 a.m. April 26 in the Justice Building in Vallejo.
Deputy District Attorney William Moser prosecuted the case. Oakland-based attorney Erik Babcock represented Fernandez.