A 19-year-old Big Bear City man — Hany Basem Gatas — has entered a not guilty plea to three counts of sexual molestation of two boys under the age of 10. (File Photo)
By G. T. Houts
San Bernardino, CA – Hany Basem Gatas, 19, has entered a plea of not guilty to sex abuse charges via video from West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga. The Big Bear City resident is charged with sodomy on a child under the age of 10 and sexual penetration with a child under the age of 10.
Bail has been set at $500,000 related to the sexual molestation of two boys, ages 5 and 8.
THE CASE
Detectives from the Big Bear Station arrested Gatas on Friday, November 7, at 2 p.m., following an ongoing molestation investigation.
The San Bernardino County District Attorney filed the felony charges following review of the case as submitted by the detectives.
If convicted of the three felony counts, Gatas could be required to register as a sex offender.
ON PROBATION
Gatas is already on probation for 36 months following a plea of nolo contendre to a felony burglary charge stemming from an incident on July 9, 2013.
On August 23, 2013, Judge William Jefferson Powell pronounced sentence — 90 days in a county jail with credit for time served of 90 days — and placed Gatas on 36 months of supervised probation.
The court retained jurisdiction on the issue of restitution and ordered Gatas to pay $26 per month through Central Collections.
Protective orders were also issued in that case. (497)