SBCDistrictAttorney
People v. Teodoro Antonio Coracero, Santa Barbara Superior Court Case No. 21CR04424
Santa Barbara County District Attorney John T. Savrnoch announced that on October 17, 2023, the Honorable Judge Von Deroian sentenced Teodoro Antonio Coracero, a 56-year-old resident of Santa Maria, to state prison for 23 years and 4 months.
On August 29, 2023, a Santa Barbara jury found Defendant Coracero guilty of five counts of lewd or lascivious act upon a child under the age of 14, in violation of Penal Code § 288 (a), one count of lewd or lascivious act upon a child under 14 with force or fear, in violation of Penal Code § 288(b)(1), and two counts of exhibiting harmful material to a minor, in violation of Penal Code § 288.2(a)(2). The jury also found that the crime involved a high degree of cruelty, viciousness, or callousness and that the defendant took advantage of a position of trust or confidence to commit the offenses.
Jane Doe’s path to justice was a remarkable journey marked by extraordinary courage. Not only did she summon the strength to share her painful experiences with a child forensic interviewer, but she also confronted the formidable challenge of testifying at a preliminary hearing before a judge. Her bravery extended even further as she faced a courtroom filled with unfamiliar faces, recounting the terrible abuse she had endured.
These demanding steps she undertook were pivotal in paving the way for the outcome we have achieved. We wholeheartedly extend our gratitude to Jane Doe for her immense bravery, and her resilience in sharing her story is a source of inspiration for us all.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Detectives, District Attorney Investigators, Victim Advocates, and Deputy District Attorney Sarah Barkley played essential roles in ensuring the success of this prosecution. Their unwavering dedication and efforts were instrumental in helping the jury hold the Defendant accountable for his crimes.
District Attorney John T. Savrnoch expresses his thanks to the jury for their invaluable service in this challenging trial.
Glad he was convicted for such a horrible crime. A new law introduced in 2021 says law enforcement agencies are only allowed to post mug shots of people accused of violent crimes and “continuous” sexual abuse of a child is considered violent. So why, in this case, wasn’t a booking photo of this now-convicted felon ever published by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff?
Why is there no mugshot?