A Superior Court judge sentenced Santa Maria man Teodoro Antonio Coracero, 56, to 23 years and four months in state prison this week.

In August, a jury found him guilty of repeatedly sexually molesting a child under the age of 14 and other related charges.

Coracero was convicted of five counts of lewd or lascivious act upon a child under age 14, one count of lewd or lascivious act upon a child under age 14 with force or fear, and two counts of exhibiting harmful material to a minor.

Jurors also found that the crime involved “a high degree of cruelty, viciousness, or callousness and that the defendant took advantage of a position of trust or confidence to commit the offenses,” according to the District Attorney’s Office.

The victim, who is now 12 years old, was identified only as Jane Doe in court.

According to Deputy District Attorney Sarah Barkley, the crimes occurred between 2015 and 2021.

“Jane Doe’s path to justice was a remarkable journey marked by extraordinary courage,” District Attorney John Savrnoch said in a statement. “Not only did she summon the strength to share her painful experiences with a child forensic interviewer, but she also confronted the formidable challenge of testifying at a preliminary hearing before a judge.”

Judge Von Deroian presided over the jury trial and sentencing hearing.