A San Juan Bautista man pleaded guilty to a felony count of
attempted child molestation and no contest to a count of possession
of child pornography during a brief court appearance Wednesday on
charges stemming from his interaction with an 11-year-old girl last
year.
By Michael Van Cassell Staff Writer
Hollister – A San Juan Bautista man pleaded guilty to a felony count of attempted child molestation and no contest to a count of possession of child pornography during a brief court appearance Wednesday on charges stemming from his interaction with an 11-year-old girl last year.
William Joseph Lavagnino Jr., 53, faces up to four years in prison, according to San Benito County Superior Court documents.
The state, led by prosecutor Steven Wagner, decided to plea bargain the case out of consideration for the victim’s family, to keep costs down, and for a swift trial and sentencing, San Benito County District Attorney John Sarsfield said Thursday.
Lavagnino was arrested in December of 2005 by San Benito County Sheriff’s deputies after the victim’s father contacted police. Among the pornographic material seized from Lavagnino’s home was a 42-page document titled “Introduction and Beginners Guide to Survival in Preteen Erotica.” The guide explains how to use Internet news groups to gain access to child pornography, according to investigators.
The San Benito County Sheriff’s office became aware of Lavagnino’s activities when the father of the victim presented investigators with nine sexually-themed, hand-written notes addressed to the victim and signed “Billy.” During interviews with sheriff’s detectives following his arrest last year, Lavagnino apologized, stating he “lost control,” and that “us boys will just have to stop when you girls say no regardless of how horny we are,” according to police reports.
Sheriff’s deputies didn’t consider the letters to be a game.
“It’s a very serious situation. He was a child predator hiding among us,” Sheriff’s Detective Bryan Penney said. “We were very fortunate to catch him before he committed rape, kidnap or murder. This could have escalated into something far worse. We were glad to get him off the streets.”
