Irvine, California - Attorneys representing the victims of Fernando Figueroa will speak to the media following the sentencing of Figueroa on felony child sex abuse charges, including violation of Penal Code section 288.7(b) (oral copulation or sexual penetration with a child 10 years of age or younger), and Penal Code section 288(a) (lewd and lascivious acts upon a child under 14 years of age for one’s sexual gratification).
Figueroa, who entered a guilty plea after his indictment by a County Grand Jury on 25 sex abuse counts involving 11 victims, is expected to be given a sentence of 15 years to life in prison. As part of his plea agreement, Figueroa admitted that he “committed lewd and lascivious acts upon 11 different victims on different dates between 2014 and February 8, 2017,” and will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
Figueroa worked as a technology instructional aide and after-school tutor at Liberty Elementary School in Riverside. Figueroa, who did not have a teaching credential, was improperly permitted to be alone with children behind closed doors, contrary to state regulations. This allowed him easy access to his victims, who were in the 2nd-5th grade (ranging from 8 years old to 11 years old).
Evidence developed in civil lawsuits filed against the Riverside Unified School District suggests that as early as the 2014/2015 school year, multiple teachers as well as an administrator became aware of complaints by one of the victims about Figueroa’s inappropriate touching. That same child’s mother also contacted the school’s principal to complain. Nothing was done. Additionally, testimony in the civil case has revealed that Figueroa was often seen hugging children and found alone (multiple times) with children behind locked, closed doors in classrooms with the lights off. Again, nothing was done. Figueroa was still allowed unfettered access to children, and the abuse continued for years.
The pending civil cases also allege that employees of Liberty Elementary falsified records submitted to the Department of Education to show that Figueroa was being supervised by a certificated employee, when, in fact, he was not. At least one of the Liberty Elementary employees has admitted, in sworn testimony, to the fact that these records were false.
Three victims represented by the law firms of Manly, Stewart & Finaldi, and the Senators (Ret.) Firm LLP previously settled lawsuits with RUSD for $6.2 Million in 2018. There are still pending three additional lawsuits involving 8 more victims. Those cases are expected to go to trial in 2020.
WHAT: Sentencing of Fernando Figueroa
WHEN: December 13, 2019. Sentencing hearing to begin at 10:30 am. Press conference will take place immediately following the hearing.
WHERE: Riverside Hall of Justice, Dept. 64V, 4100 Main Street, Riverside, CA 92501
WHO: Morgan Stewart, Partner, Manly, Stewart & Finaldi; Saul Wolf, Senior Attorney, Manly, Stewart & Finaldi; Cristina Nolan, Attorney, Manly, Stewart & Finaldi (Ms. Nolan is Spanish speaking).
