El Dorado Hills, CA – November 16, 2023
In a distressing case that shook the community, William Lee Smith, 59, of El Dorado Hills, was found guilty on November 8 in El Dorado County Superior Court for molesting a child in a local department store dressing room. The incident occurred in May 2019 at the Target in Town Center.
According to Savannah Broddrick from the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office, Smith followed a child into a dressing room and engaged in inappropriate conversation and touching of a sexual nature. The DA’s Office has not disclosed the age or gender of the victim to protect their identity.
The trial, presided over by Judge Mark Ralphs in Department 2, unfolded over nearly five days, ultimately concluding with a swift deliberation by the jury that lasted less than two hours. The verdict returned was one of guilt, marking a significant development in the legal proceedings.
Scheduled for sentencing on December 11 at 8:30 a.m. in Department 2, Smith faces potential repercussions for his actions. The misdemeanor conviction carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail, and Smith is also likely to be required to register as a sex offender.
This case underscores the gravity of child molestation incidents and the legal consequences perpetrators may face. The community now awaits the sentencing phase, hoping for justice to be served and sending a clear message that such actions will be met with stern consequences
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