Molestation charges could bring Redlands man 3 life terms
Terence Giberson
REDLANDS — A 52-year-old Redlands man faces a possibility of three life terms in prison if convicted of multiple charges that he molested a young girl earlier this month.
A not-guilty plea was entered on Terence Giberson’s behalf Friday in San Bernardino Superior Court, where he faces charges of molestation and kidnapping in relation to the Aug. 8 discovery of a nude 4-year-old neighbor girl in his apartment.
Special allegations could bring a 25 years-to-life prison sentence to Giberson, 52, say prosecutors.
Prosecutors had filed an amended complaint, totaling five felony counts, including two counts of oral copulation or sexual penetration with a child under 10, two counts of forcible lewd acts upon a child, plus the kidnapping charge.
Originally, the girl was said to have suffered no physical injuries the night she was taken. Subsequent reports, however, say criminal conduct beyond the kidnapping occurred, according to court papers.
San Bernardino County Deputy District Attorney Maryanne Choi said the special allegation was connected to the two lewd-act charges that Giberson faces.
If he is convicted on one or both of the counts, and the allegation that he kidnapped the child to commit the acts is found true, then the 25-years-to-life sentence will apply, Choi said.
The kidnapping allegation that could enhance his punishment is separate from the substantive kidnapping charge that Giberson also faces, she said.
Prosecutors have already said that if Giberson is convicted on all charges he could face three possible life terms in prison.
Giberson was arrested Aug. 8 at the Los Arboles Apartment Complex on Pine Avenue, where he and the young girl lived. The parents of the child noticed her missing after she went outside to play that evening, reportedly with Giberson’s dog outside his apartment.
She was seen in Giberson’s second story apartment, appearing in a window, crying and without her clothes. Giberson was also nude. The girl’s father broke into Giberson’s apartment, took possession of his daughter, called police and waited for their arrival. Giberson was arrested after a half-hour standoff with Redlands police. His next hearing is Oct. 6.
Giberson remains at the West County Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga, held on $500,000 bail, according to court papers.
