FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — A judge sent a former Mendota High School teacher’s aide to jail Thursday for her sex crime with a 16-year-old student.
Veronica Lopez had a singular focus as she faced a judge for punishment in her child sex crimes case.
“My girls are everything to me and I strive every day to be a better person and a better mother despite everything that’s happened,” she said.
The 44-year-old worked as a teacher’s aide at Mendota High School, where the victim attended school.
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Prosecutors say the Firebaugh resident met the boy near her Mendota home in the summer of 2019 and initiated sexual contact.
He subsequently fled.
Lopez texted an apology the next day, but prosecutors say the boy is still traumatized and dropped out of school because of his crime.
She never mentioned it in her comments to the judge.
“I find it interesting how, given the opportunity to speak at this time, she spoke about her daughters but no remorse for the actions she did to a 16-year-old child,” prosecutor Kristin said. Maxwell.
Lopez had a few people supporting her in court, including a family friend who said he never saw this coming.
“I don’t know what happened,” Pedro Falcon said through a Spanish interpreter. “She was a good mother.”
Judge Wayne Ellison acknowledged a possible contributing factor: Lopez suffered her own sexual trauma as a teenager.
“I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that your alleged sex crimes here reflect your own victimization when you were 14 and 15,” Judge Ellison said.
But the judge said Lopez took advantage of his position of trust. So he decided she deserved a prison sentence.
Judge Ellison sentenced Lopez to 180 days in jail, two years probation, and she must register as a sex offender.
He also ordered her to pursue psychological treatment.
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