No contest plea in stepdaughter sex case

Ramirez was facing a life sentence on accusations he raped his 13-year-old stepdaughter on multiple occasions and orally copulated his 8-year-old stepdaughter, among other sexual abuses of both girls. Prosecutors said the alleged abuses, which are said to have took place between June of 2015 and August of 2017, came to light when Ramirez allegedly told a church counselor about his conduct.

The 13-year-old girl, who was allegedly beaten by Ramirez with a belt when she tried to stop him, also told her mother about the abuses. He allegedly has a 7-year-old stepdaughter as well, but there is currently no evidence showing he abused her, according to prosecutors previously.

Ramirez, who has a prior misdemeanor domestic violence conviction dating back to 1996, pleaded no contest to continuous child molestation and child molestation for his crimes against the 13-year-old girl and two counts of child molestation for a child under 10 years old for his crimes against the 8-year-old, according to prosecutors.

In custody on $9.5 million bail, Ramirez will next appear in court April 10 for sentencing, according to prosecutors.

Chase noted his client pleaded to fewer counts than he was originally charged with, and said Ramirez steadfastly denied any of the crimes involved force. He added Ramirez has an adult daughter who was very supportive of him throughout the court proceedings.

“It was very difficult for him to accept this and it was a very emotional plea,” he said.

District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe hoped Ramirez would never be released from custody given the seriousness of his crimes against two young children.

“There is no way this man should ever breathe free air again,” he said. “There is no room for leniency in our world for a man like Mr. Ramirez.”

anna@smdailyjournal.com

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