Former MP sentenced to 40 years in prison for sexually abusing four girls

LOS ANGELES – Former Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff Sean Essex was sentenced to 40 years in prison by Judge George Gonzalez Lomeli after pleading guilty to sexually abusing four girls between the ages of 4 and 13.

One victim was abused in 2006, while three victims were abused between 2013 and 2022. In Essex, there is also an obligation to register as a sex offender.

“The horrific sexual abuse Mr. Essex committed against these young victims not only violated his oath as a law enforcement officer to protect and serve the community, but also caused these children lifelong trauma,” said District Attorney Gascón. “Children have an inviolable right to safety and protection. The victims have shown tremendous courage in coming forward and speaking out about the abuse Mr. Essex committed. Our office’s Victim Assistance Office will continue to offer victims and their families support and resources to help them heal and cope with this trauma.”

Sean Essex today pleaded guilty in case BA498373 to three counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 and one count of lewd and lascivious acts on a child under 14. Mr Essex also admitted taking advantage of a position of trust in committing the crime and that a victim was particularly vulnerable.

Prior to his arrest in April 2022, Mr. Essex had been a deputy sheriff for 22 years. At the time of his arrest, he was assigned to the department’s training office.

Mr Essex is ordered to pay compensation to the victims, the amount of which will be determined by the court.

The case was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau and prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office’s Sex Crimes and Judicial Integrity Unit.

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