Child molester found guilty

Kenneth Donald Hutchins, 65, of Sonoma, has been convicted of four counts of sexual molestation involving his eight-year-old grandniece. The Sonoma Valley man faces the possibility of more than 25-years-to-life in prison when sentenced in January.

Hutchins was arrested on January 16, 2013, after the then eight-year-old victim disclosed to her brother that the defendant had sexually molested her. Sheriff’s detectives executing a search warrant found videos of child pornography in an end table in the defendant’s living room.

Hutchins, a Valley resident for more than 20 years, lives in the Springs, and the victim resides in Sonoma. Illegal acts likely occurred at both residents, officials said.

The testimony of the young victim was a key element in the prosecutor’s case, according to District Attorney Jill Ravitch. “We applaud the child victim for disclosing the abuse and courageously testifying at trial, and hope this is an important step toward healing from this trauma.

Child molestation is too frequently difficult to discover and prosecute, Ravithc said, “consequently, this verdict sends a strong message, in addition to holding the predator accountable.”