Fresno Man Sentenced for Sexual Assaults Spanning Nearly a Decade
Published on July 20, 2026
A years-long investigation aided by advances in DNA technology has resulted in a Fresno man being sentenced to decades in prison for sexually assaulting multiple victims and sexually abusing children.
Today, Cesar Flores (56, of Fresno) was sentenced by the Honorable Jim Kelley in Department 62 of the Fresno County Superior Court to 30 years to life in state prison, plus a consecutive determinate term of 16 years, after pleading guilty on June 18, 2026, to two counts of forcible rape and two counts of committing a forcible lewd act upon a child.
As part of his guilty plea, Flores admitted aggravating factors that the victims were particularly vulnerable and that he engaged in violent conduct indicating that he poses a serious danger to society.
In addition to his prison sentence, Flores was ordered to register as a sex offender for life pursuant to California Penal Code section 290, and the Court issued Criminal Protective Orders protecting the victims.
The convictions stem from a years-long investigation into a series of sexual assaults committed between 2014 and 2021. Through advances in DNA technology, including investigative genetic genealogy, law enforcement linked Flores to multiple previously unsolved sexual assault investigations. He was arrested on July 1, 2025, following the years-long investigation.
"This sentence cannot erase the unimaginable trauma these victims have endured, but it does provide a measure of justice and a sense of closure for those whose lives were forever changed by this monster's actions," said Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp. "For years, they carried the weight of these horrific crimes while the person responsible remained unidentified. Today, they know the man responsible has finally been held accountable.
"I want to thank the dedicated detectives with the Fresno Police Department, the forensic scientists whose expertise and advancements in DNA technology helped identify the defendant, and the prosecutors whose persistence ensured that the passage of time did not prevent justice from being served.
"Cold cases are never forgotten. As forensic technology continues to evolve, our office remains committed to pursuing those who believe they have escaped accountability. No matter how much time has passed, we will continue seeking justice for victims and holding violent offenders responsible for their actions."
Although Flores received an indeterminate sentence of 30 years to life, California law provides that inmates who meet certain statutory requirements may be considered for Elderly Parole after reaching a qualifying age and serving the required minimum portion of their sentence. Eligibility for a parole hearing does not guarantee release. Should Flores become eligible in the future, the California Board of Parole Hearings will evaluate numerous statutory factors, including the nature of his offenses, his institutional behavior, evidence of rehabilitation, and whether he currently poses an unreasonable risk to public safety before determining whether parole is appropriate. The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office will continue to advocate on behalf of the victims throughout that process.
The prosecution was handled by Senior Deputy District Attorneys Adam Christopherson and David Devencenzi, with assistance from Senior District Attorney Investigator Lorena Jimenez. The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office also recognizes the outstanding investigative work of Fresno Police Department Detectives Steve Taylor, Pete Ressler, and Phu Nguyen, as well as Yolo County District Attorney Investigator Stephen Jerguson, whose persistence, collaboration, and dedication were instrumental in bringing this years-long investigation to a successful conclusion.
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