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June 7, 2024: LA County Sheriff’s Deputy Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison for Sexually Abusing Four Girls
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CORRECTION: A correction has been made regarding the defendant's plea. Defendant Essex pleaded no contest today. It was previously reported that he pleaded guilty.
Former Sheriff’s deputy Sean Essex was sentenced to 40 years in prison for sexually abusing four girls who were 13 and younger
LOS ANGELES, CA- Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced today that former Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy Sean Essex was sentenced to 40 years in state prison by Judge George Gonzalez Lomeli, after he pled no contest to sexually abusing four girls who were between the ages of 4 and 13. One victim was abused in 2006, while three victims were abused between 2013 and 2022. Essex also is required to register as a sex offender.
“The horrific sexual abuse that Mr. Essex inflicted on these young victims has not only violated his oath as a law enforcement officer to protect and serve the community, but also has left these children with life-long trauma,” District Attorney Gascón said. “Children have an inviolate right to safety and protection. The victims have shown tremendous courage in coming forward to speak about their abuse at the hands of Mr. Essex. Our office’s Bureau of Victim’s Services will continue to offer assistance and resources to the victims and their families to help them heal as they cope with this trauma.”
Sean Essex (dob 3/18/71) pleaded no contest today in case BA498373 to three counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14; and one count of lewd and lascivious acts on a child under 14. Mr. Essex further admitted to taking advantage of a position of trust in the commission of the crime and that one victim was especially vulnerable.
Prior to his arrest in April 2022, Mr. Essex had been a sheriff’s deputy for 22 years. At the time of his arrest, he was assigned to the department’s Training Bureau.
Mr. Essex is ordered to pay restitution to the victims in an amount that will be determined by the court.
The case was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau, and prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Sex Crimes and Justice System Integrity divisions.
