A high profile trial in Ventura County has concluded with a guilty verdict for 58 year old Martin Herrejon Vieyra. On Monday, January 12, the Santa Paula resident was convicted of eight felony counts related to the sexual assault and molestation of multiple children. The case, which involves survivors Vieyra knew through familial relationships, has left the local community in shock due to the long duration of the abuse and the sheer number of charges involved.
A Pattern of Abuse Revealed
The jury found Vieyra guilty of six counts of lewd acts upon a child, one count of rape by force, and one count of sexual penetration using a foreign object. According to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, the evidence showed that Vieyra used his position of trust to gain access to his victims over several decades. The abuse of the first survivor occurred between 1996 and 2005, while a second survivor suffered under his actions from 2012 until 2020. Both victims were under the age of 14 during the periods of abuse.
The investigation took a significant turn in February 2025 after Vieyra was initially charged. A third survivor came forward to report that she had been raped by Vieyra in 1991 when they were living in the same household. This additional testimony helped prosecutors paint a picture of a predator who had operated in the shadows for nearly thirty years. Senior Deputy District Attorney Stuart Gardner, who prosecuted the case, noted that the passage of time does not erase the harm caused by such violence.
Sentencing and Potential Life Sentence
Following the conviction, Vieyra’s bail was revoked, and he remains in custody without the possibility of release. He is currently scheduled for sentencing on February 10, 2026, where he faces a staggering maximum sentence of 110 years to life plus an additional 16 years in state prison. Given the severity of the charges and the multiple special allegations found true by the jury, it is highly likely he will spend the remainder of his life behind bars.
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office credited the bravery of the survivors for bringing these horrific crimes to light. The case was a collaborative effort between the Santa Paula Police Department and the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation. Officials hope this verdict brings a sense of justice to the victims and serves as a warning that law enforcement will pursue sex offenders regardless of how many years have passed since the original crimes.