Defendant Sentenced for Child Sexual Assault, Child Pornography
DATE: January 31, 2025
CASE: Jonathan Dale (Case #16FE019420)
PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Brandon Jack, Cyber Crimes Unit
The Honorable Kenneth Brody sentenced Jonathan Dale to 36 years and 8 months to life in prison. On December 13, 2024, a jury convicted Dale of communicating with a minor for purposes of engaging in lewd behavior, two counts of lewd acts upon a child, committing sex acts with a child under 10 years old, two counts of forcible lewd acts upon a child and possession of child pornography. The jury found true allegations of substantial sexual conduct, and the use of obscene matter in commission of the offenses. The Court also found true aggravating factors.
On October 5, 2016, a friend reported finding child pornography on one of Dale’s computers. The pornography depicted toddlers and babies engaged in sexual activity. Sacramento Sheriff Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) detectives located thousands of files of child pornography on multiple devices belonging to Dale. The child pornography was of children of all ages in every form of sexual activity, including bondage and bestiality. During the investigation, detectives discovered Dale had molested a child when she was 9 to 10 years old.
Under current California law, Dale (age 49) will become eligible for release at an Elder Parole hearing once he reaches the age of 50 and only serves 20 years of his 36 year to life sentence. With his in-custody credits, that will be in approximately 12 years.
Additional material on Elder Parole can be found here: