DATE: August 23, 2024
CASE: Shalesh Kumar (Case #23FE002257)
PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Katherine Martin, Adult Sexual Assault Prosecution
On August 22, 2024, Shalesh Kumar was convicted by a jury of 87 counts related to unlawful sexual acts with a minor 16 years old or older. Kumar was also convicted of lewd acts on a child age 14 or 15 and possession of child pornography. The jury also found true allegations that the victim was especially vulnerable, that the defendant took advantage of a position of trust and that the crimes showed planning and sophistication.
In the summer of 2020, then 38-year-old Shalesh Kumar began messaging the then 15-year-old victim on social media. The victim had a troubled home life, and Kumar presented himself as someone who could help her family. After the victim told Kumar her age, he groomed the victim until she believed she was in love with him. When the victim's family member found out that Kumar had sexual intercourse with the victim, they told her not to see Kumar anymore. However, Kumar continued to communicate with the victim. In April 2021, the victim was living with a foster family. Kumar picked-up the victim from the foster home, drove her to his house and resumed a sexual relationship with her. Kumar did not permit the victim to go to school, work or see her friends. Police, Child Protective Services and the victim's family went to Kumar's house several times, but Kumar said he did not know where the victim was staying. Kumar got the victim a new identity with a fake ID so he could take her out around family and friends. He also videotaped himself and the victim in sexual acts. In October 2022, he physically assaulted the victim, causing her to flee his house and call the police. Videos and text messages recovered from Kumar's cell phone indicated Kumar was aware of the victim's age and that he was hiding her from authorities.
Kumar faces a maximum sentence of 61 years in state prison. Sentencing is set for October 4, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in Department 40 before the Honorable Steve White.
