Central Valley Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Raping 9-Year-Old

An Orange County man will serve 12 years in prison for raping a 9-year-old girl, Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced Thursday.

Erik R. Jarama, 35, of Central Valley admitted having sexual intercourse with the child in June of 2015. The Town of Woodbury Police Department conducted the investigation into the assault, and Jarama pleaded guilty to rape on Dec. 3, 2015.

The Orange County District Attorney's Office said in a press release that Jarama's plea was entered through a procedure that allowed the victim to not have to testify before a grand jury.

"Society must be protected from predators who abuse positions of trust to victimize children," Hoovler said in a press release. "I am thankful that the victim in this case was spared the additional trauma of having to testify about the crimes that were committed against her."

Jarama will be subject to 10 years of supervision when he is released from prison.