LAKE COUNTY – A Clearlake man will spend six years in prison for failing to register as a sex offender.

On Sept. 7, Victor Junior Lovato, 32, was sentenced to six years in state prison for failing to register as a sex offender, according to a report from the District Attorney's Office.

Lovato has been required to register pursuant to Penal Code section 290 since he was convicted of four counts of felony child molestation in 1994, when he was sentenced to twelve years in prison.

Lovato pleaded guilty on Aug. 3 to one felony count of failing to register as a sex offender, in violation of Penal Code section 290, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Failing to register as a sex offender carries a maximum prison sentence of three years; however, Lovato also admitted to having been convicted of a prior felony strike offense, which served to double his prison commitment to a maximum of six years, the District Attorney's Office reported. Lovato will not be eligible for parole until he completes 80 percent of his prison sentence.

Detectives Martin Snyder and Richard Towle of the Clearlake Police Department investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney John R. DeChaine.

Lovato had last registered on Nov. 14, 2005, but failed to update his registration in November 2006, prompting the investigation.

Lovato has been in custody on this charge with bail set in the amount of $60,000.00 since July 23.

The Honorable Judge Steven Hedstrom presided over the taking of the guilty plea as well as the Sept. 7 sentencing hearing.

 

Lovato's picture and description are available on the Megan's Law Web site, www.meganslaw.ca.gov.

 

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