Martinez, Calif. – On April 15, a Contra Costa County jury found defendant Abel Pena-Catalan of Pittsburg guilty of 14 felonies, including the molestation of two underage victims and the attempted rape of one of the victims.
The criminal conduct by Pena-Catalan also included forcible oral copulation against Jane Doe #1 who was under the age of 18. The District Attorney’s Office does not disclose the age or victim’s name in a sexual assault case to protect the confidentiality of the victims.
Fortunately, a witness encouraged the victims to report the sexual abuse to authorities. In turn, the victims disclosed the molestation to a mandated reporting agency and an investigation ensued. Overall, the Pittsburg Police Department and Alameda County Sheriff’s Office were involved in the investigations for both victims. Pena-Catalan at one time lived in Alameda County where the abuse started against one of the victims. He then continued his violent and threatening assaults in Pittsburg against the minors.
“Crimes against children often involve secrecy and deception. In this case, the defendant repeatedly threatened these victims and committed horrible sexual assaults against them. The Jane Does in this case were incredibly brave for ensuring the defendant is held accountable for his crimes,” DDA Weiss said.
Pena-Catalan now faces a sentence of over 100 years to life in state prison. Sentencing will occur on May 10, 2019 in front of the Honorable Christopher Bowen – Department 40 of the Contra Costa County Superior Court in Martinez. Contra Costa County Deputy District Attorney Diana Weiss prosecuted the case on behalf of the People. The case originated in the Office’s Sexual Assault Unit.
The felony counts against Pena-Catalan for his verdict:
- Count 1, Attempted Forcible Rape-Child Victim Over 14 Years
- Count 2, Attempted Forcible Rape-Child Victim Over 14 Years
- Count 3, Forcible Oral Copulation-Minor Victim Over 14 Years
- Enhancement 1, Special Allegation, Sex Crimes – Aggravated Circumstances
- Count 4, Lewd Act Upon a Child
- Count 5, Lewd Act Upon a Child
- Count 6, Lewd Act Upon a Child
- Count 7, Lewd Act Upon a Child
- Enhancement 1, Special Allegation, Sex Crimes – Aggravated Circumstances
- Count 8, Lewd Act Upon a Child
- Enhancement 1, Special Allegation, Sex Crimes – Aggravated Circumstances
- Count 9, Lewd Act Upon a Child
- Enhancement 1, Special Allegation, Sex Crimes – Aggravated Circumstances
- Count 10, Forcible Lewd Act Upon a Child
- Enhancement 1, Special Allegation, Sex Crimes – Aggravated Circumstances
- Count 11, Forcible Lewd Act Upon a Child
- Enhancement 1, Special Allegation, Sex Crimes – Aggravated Circumstances
- Count 12, Forcible Lewd Act Upon a Child
- Enhancement 1, Special Allegation, Sex Crimes – Aggravated Circumstances
- Count 13, Forcible Lewd Act Upon a Child
- Enhancement 1, Special Allegation, Sex Crimes – Aggravated Circumstances
- Count 14, Forcible Lewd Act Upon a Child
Case information: People v. Abel Pena-Catalan, Docket Number 05-180571-2
4 comments
Will die in prison and not soon enough
He will die in prison one-way-or-another, as his fellow cons are not very tolerant of child molesters
Must be a devout Catholic. Oh wait, those guys are above the law.
They don’t die in prison like they used to, they are almost always set aside with other predators for that very reason.
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