DATE: June 23, 2023

CASE: Royce Deputee (Case #20FE009685)

PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Heather Stephenson, Special Assault & Child Abuse Unit

Royce Deputee was convicted by a jury of four counts of committing lewd acts on a child under the age of 14.

The victim and Deputee were known to each other. In January 2019, the then 13-year-old victim was sleeping when Deputee sexually assaulted her. The victim was able to get away from Deputee, and the following day her family alerted law enforcement.  DNA evidence later corroborated the victim’s report.

Aggravating factors including whether the victim was particularly vulnerable; defendant took advantage of a position of trust when he committed the crime; and whether the crime involved great violence or great bodily harm, threats of great bodily harm or other acts revealing a high degree of cruelty, viciousness, or callousness will be determined at the sentencing hearing.

Deputee faces a maximum sentence of 14 years state prison.  Sentencing is set for July 21, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. in Department 40 before the Honorable Steve White.