CHICO, Calif. — On Wednesday, a Fairfield man pleaded guilty to two charges stemming from his online actions involving a then 10-year-old girl from Butte County back in 2022.
The Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said that 21-year-old Ethan James Alfonso pleaded guilty on Wednesday toone count of child molestation for his remotely directing a 10-year-old girl to disrobe and touch herself while on a computer chat program with him. Alfonso also pleaded guilty toone count of possession of child pornography stemming from his contact and downloading of photos and videos of the girl.
Ramsey said that Alfonso first made contact with the 10-year-old while chatting on Roblox, a worldwide gaming platform. Things turned dark quickly when their conversations moved to Discord,a chat and messaging program. Ramsey said thatduring their conversations, Alfonso was made aware of the girl’s age but nonetheless persuaded the girl to create and send him nude photographs and videos of herself.
Ramsey said that Alfonso threatened the minor, saying he wouldrelease the nude images to the internet if she did not continue to supply him with more. The girl eventuallytold her mother what was happening and the mother made a report to the Chico Police Department.
Alfonso’s digital footprint led police to Fairfield whereChico detectives, along with the Fairfield Police detectives, served a search warrant and arrest warrant in Fairfield on July 7, 2022. Ramsey said that Alfonso was then transported from Fairfield to the Butte County Jail.
“The case was filed by the Butte County District Attorney’s Office in July of 2022 but was prolonged for several years when the defense claimed that Alfonso was mentally incompetent to stand trial. In June of this year, Alfonso was found competent to stand trial on the underlying charges by a jury, whose sole purpose was to determine whether or not Alfonso was competent. Alfonso subsequently pleaded guilty today in court,” said Ramsey.
Ramsey highlighted the dangers that lurk for children behind every gaming and chat service where they can interact with strangers.
“Ramsey said it was clear in his messages to the young girl that Alfonso subtly ‘groomed’ her for a few weeks before taking advantage of her immaturity and gullibility. Ramsey cautioned that crimes of this nature often progress quickly, and can spin out of control for the victims just as fast,” said the Butte County District Attorney’s Office.
Alfonso remains in custody at the Butte County Jail awaiting his sentencing onWednesday, November 13, 2024, where he faces a maximum term under the law of eight months in state prison. Ramsey said that Alfonso is being held on a$700,000 bail.