Man found guilty of molesting niece

SANTA BARBARA — Despite a lack of physical evidence, a Santa Barbara man was found guilty in superior court last month of three felony counts related to the sexual assault of a family member whose testimony swayed the jury.

German Acosta, 34, was found guilty Sept. 28 of aggravated sexual assault, forcible lewd acts upon a child, and another lewd and lascivious act not by force. The victim and chief prosecution witness: Acosta’s 12-year-old niece.

According to his niece’s graphic testimony, Acosta, an occasional houseguest in the victim’s home, entered her bedroom, disrobed, attempted anal intercourse, performed vaginal intercourse, and subsequently masturbated into her hand.

Zero physical evidence to support the victim’s testimony was found in the home or upon the clothing or person of either the suspect or the victim. The child’s recitation of events proved enough for the jury, which pronounced Acosta guilty.

Acosta will be back in court on Oct. 22, when he will face a sentence of 15 years to life in prison.