Man convicted of kidnapping, sexually assaulting a 13-year-old in 2018

The Kern County District Attorney announced on Monday that Hilario Viruncruz was convicted of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 13-year-old boy in 2018.

On September 1, 2018 a 13-year-old boy was stopped by Viruncruz in the area of Niles St. and Horace Mann Ave and asked if he would be willing to do some gardening work. According to the District Attorney's office, "The victim accepted, as long as he was permitted to ask his parents for permission first. Viruncruz agreed to take the victim to his parents to ask for permission. Once he had the victim in his vehicle, Viruncruz refused to stop at the victim’s home to seek permission from his parents. Viruncruz instead drove the victim to a remote location where homes were still under construction and sexually assaulted the victim. "

The victim was able to eventually fight off the defendant and escaped to a nearby home where the residents contacted the police.

Two days later, authorities received a call regarding a possible sighting of Viruncruz's truck. Kern County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to Cliffwood Way and Derby Drive in East Bakersfield where they made contact with Viruncruz. According to KCSO, deputies determined the truck matched several surveillance videos seized after the assault. Viruncruz was detained and the victim identified him and the vehicle.

Viruncruz was also in possession of a cellphone "containing thousands of searches for child pornography."

Viruncruz was convicted of kidnapping with intent to commit a lewd and lascivious act, as well as committing a lewd and lascivious act on a child with force. his sentencing is scheduled for March 11, 2020, where he faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.