SLO man convicted of sexually abusing girl he was babysitting

A San Luis Obispo man was convicted Friday of sexually abusing a girl he was babysitting.

Tanner William Dean Fite, 23, was convicted on Oct. 15 of four counts of sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 14, the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release.

According to police, the girl was 11 years old at the time of Fite’s arrest.

Assistant District Attorney Eric Dobroth told The Tribune that Fite also watched porn videos while babysitting the girl that day.

Cyber ​​forensics data from Fite’s phone showed that he had viewed 25 pornographic videos, the press release said. After the eight-day trial, the press release said, the jury “quickly reached its verdicts.”

“I am very proud of the young victim who showed great courage in reporting the crime and later testifying in court,” San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow said in the press release. “Her courage will inspire other survivors to report the crime so that perpetrators like Mr. Fite can face justice.”

Fite’s sentence is scheduled for October 4, 2024. He faces a maximum of 14 years in prison and will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release.

A protective break was ordered during the arrest

Fite was arrested on October 29 after San Luis Obispo police officers served a search warrant for his home in the 1200 block of West Newport Street.

While the arrest warrant was being executed, the police asked all residents to seek shelter.

The fence in the backyard was broken and the front door showed signs of having been broken into.

According to police at the time, officers discovered that Fite had illegally purchased a “Glock-style pistol” on October 17 and an “AK47-style rifle” on October 18.

Police also searched a home in the 3800 block of South Higuera Street that “was frequently visited by Fite.”