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SLO child molester sentenced to 25 years to life

October 1, 2019

Matthew Betts

By JOSH FRIEDMAN

A San Luis Obispo man convicted of sexually molesting two young girls was sentenced Monday to 25 years to life in state prison.

In July, a jury found Matthew Betts, 47, guilty of nine counts of felony child molestation, including three counts of sexual penetration of a child under the age of 10 and six counts of committing a lewd act on a child under the age of 14.

Betts’ then-girlfriend accused him in 2016 of molesting her daughter. Betts was also caught molesting a young victim in an earlier incident.

Evidence presented during a two-week trial showed Betts molested one victim in March 2016 and had molested another victim on multiple occasions between Sept. 2012 and Sept. 2013.

The Tribune reports Betts will be in his early 70s when he will become eligible to seek parole.

Judge Matthew Guerrero recommended that Betts Serve his sentence at the California Men’s Colony so he can be close to family. But, Betts will serve at least the beginning of his sentence at Wasco State Prison, a higher-security facility located in Kern County.

In addition to his prison sentence, Betts must also pay at least $10,000 in restitution to his two victim. A restitution hearing is scheduled for Feb. 10.

Betts has been in custody in SLO County Jail since his July conviction.


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I went to school with Matt Betts at San Luis High school. He never was a bad kid, normal as anybody else. I’m surprised and I wish him well that I hope he’ll rehabilitate his life after this and his family will heal, very sad.


7

It’s interesting that the judge let him hug his parents before going into custody after convicted (I read that in another articlr) and now he is recommending he be sent to CMC to be close to family. I didn’t know that punishment involved taking into consideration if mom and dad can come and visit. Especially, considering his victims and their parents will never fully recover from the crimes he committed.


Let me just say that I do feel for Betts’ family because they didn’t do anything wrong. Just seems like punishment should be punsihment and part of that is losing the convenience of seeing loved ones.


27

As a parent, if my son did these things to children,I would be horrified that I brought evil into this world, and that relationship would be over.


12

Folks,


The judge in this case, Matt Guerrero, is a well known, weak-on-crime liberal judge, so it’s no wonder why this child molester is getting off with an easy sentence.


Support law & order judges.


5