Romero Gets 10 Years for Molestation
By Susan McRoberts, Staff Writer
Originally published in the Whittier Daily News, April 27, 2001
NORWALK — In a landmark case that led to the abolition of the statute of limitations for child molestation, a 59-year-old man was sentenced Thursdayto 10 years in state prison for crimes committed more than 30 years ago.
"If I could take it back, I would," John Manuel Romero told his victim.
"I sincerely apologize. I am a new person in Christ. That sick person of 30 years ago died and no longer exists within me. I am a changed man."
Norwalk Superior Court Judge Michael A. Cowell, however, clearly doubted Romero's sincerity.
"He does not truly demonstrate remorse," said Cowell, who also ordered Romero to pay a $3,000 restitution fine to the victim.
"He does understand that what he did is wrong and he repeated that. It's part of his ability to impress people. This man is not a monster in terms of his co-workers, family and friends, but, here, he is. To have a sexual relationship with a 3-year-old girl! She used to tell him, 'I love you.' It's an egregious abuse of trust."
Romero, a former Norwalk resident, was accused by his former wife's niece, Brenda Martinez, now 40, of Norwalk. Martinez came forward in 1994, when she learned that Romero, who had married another woman, was living with a step-daughter who is a juvenile.
"He abused me from the time I was 3 in 1963 until I was 12 in 1972," she said. "My mother didn't know. She sent me to live with my aunt and uncle because my father was violent. She sent me there so I wouldn't be beat. She thought it would be better for me."
The thought of another victim kept Martinez pushing for Romero's arrest and conviction.
"I had to do something or he would continue abusing," she said Thursday. "If I didn't stand up, who would? My cousins are too ashamed, too embarrassed. If what I have done encourages one other victim to do something about it, if it means one more person talks about what happened to them, then it's worth it."
In 1994, the charges against Romero were dropped because the statute of limitations, a time limit during which a victim may press charges, had run out.
Martinez pursued the case relentlessly, said supporters who attended the sentencing.
"This is a fantastic, courageous woman," said Sue Griffith of the Legislative Coalition to Prevent Child Abuse. Griffith lobbied to change the law and remove the statute of limitations in sex crimes involving children.
"She cares so much about kids," Griffith said. "That's her big motivation: If it happened to her, it could happen to somebody else."
In 1997, after the state Legislature passed the law abolishing the time limit, Romero was arrested a second time on the same charges.
A Norwalk judge again dismissed the case, ruling that the new legislation could not be applied retroactively.
Prosecutors, including Deputy District Attorney Grace Rai, took the case all the way to the California Supreme Court. In late 1999, the high court ruled that the law could indeed be applied retroactively.
Romero was arrested a third time in May 2000. He posted bond and remained free until Jan. 4 of this year. After he pleaded guilty to two felony counts of committing a lewd act with a child under the age of 14, he surrendered for a 90-day psychiatric evaluation.
"There were so many more counts that he could have been charged with," Rai said. "He picked victims who were very vulnerable and showed a callous disregard for their feelings. He is not remorseful. He denies the more serious allegations and minimizes it. He still tries to blame others or alcohol and drugs."
Romero had a previous arrest for child molestation in 1987. He was convictedof a misdemeanor, served three years' probation and paid a fine.
"This time, he didn't get away with it," Martinez said outside the courtroom, tears streaming down her cheeks.
