People v. Hartman CA4/3

I.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

In December 2009, Hartman committed sex offenses against Stephanie P. (then 12 years old) and Alexis C. (then 14 years old). Hartman’s crimes were reported to the police in January 2010, but the district attorney did not file charges at that time. Six years later, in an unrelated child pornography investigation, the police found lewd photos of sisters Elizabeth F. (then 11 years old) and Sonja F. (then nine years old) on Hartman’s computer. Further investigation revealed Hartman had committed sex offenses against both sisters starting when they were under 10 years old.

Stephanie P. and Alexis C. On December 29, 2009, Alexis was sleeping over at Stephanie’s grandmother’s home in Fullerton. There were four adults present in the home. At about 11:00 p.m., Alexis and Stephanie were alone in the family room with Hartman, a family friend. Hartman closed the curtains, which a neighbor later testified was unusual. Hartman was on a recliner and asked the girls to sit on his lap. Hartman began touching Alexis on her back, stomach, shoulders, and chest. Hartman slipped his hand under her pants. Although Alexis tried to stop him, Hartman rubbed Alexis’s…