22 year old Brandon Bemis convicted of sexual abuse of a five year old Fortuna girl

Humboldt County District Attorney Maggie Fleming announced that today a jury convicted 22-year-old Brandon Bemis of felony sexual abuse of a child in violation of California Penal Code section 288(a).

The trial provided evidence that the defendant engaged in sexually motivated touching of a 5-year-old girl in his Fortuna home. The jury heard testimony from Jane Doe, now 6 years old, who was accompanied by her father to the witness stand. 

The prosecution also presented evidence concerning the defendant’s prior sexual misconduct, along with testimony from Jane Doe’s mother, criminalists from the Department of Justice, Child Abuse Services Team Forensic Interviewer Dori Larson, Fortuna Police Department Officer James Jengeleski and District Attorney Investigators Kyla Baxley and Martin Perrone.  Portions of the defendant's collection of child pornography were also introduced into evidence.

Deputy District Attorneys Stacey Eads and Carolyn Schaffer prosecuted the case. Victim Witness Advocate Amber Pegg provided support for Jane Doe and her family.

The defendant will return to court on May 24, 2017 for sentencing. The defendant faces a maximum of 8 years in prison.