Update: Man sentenced for sex crimes involving children at Heritage Ranch
Update posted March 31, 2023:
Craig Anthony Grunow, 57, sentenced to serve 250 years to life in prison for 11 crimes of sexual abuse of three children
– District Attorney Dan Dow announced this week that a San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Judge, the Honorable Timothy Covello, sentenced Craig Anthony Grunow, 57, to serve 250 years to life in prison for 11 crimes of sexual abuse of three children occurring over a three-year period.
At the sentencing hearing, all three victims were present. One submitted a written impact statement, and two family members verbally addressed the court about the profound effect these crimes had on the survivors and their family. Judge Timothy S. Covello commended the victims, stating their testimony was some of the most impressive he had seen, “they were poised, they were truthful, they were courageous.”
On Jan. 26, a jury found Grunow guilty on all charged counts, which included one count of sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 10 and ten counts of committing a lewd act on a child under the age of 14. The jury also found true a special allegation that Grunow committed lewd acts on multiple victims under the age of 14. This special allegation imposes a sentence of 25 years to life in prison for each eligible offense pursuant to the California Penal Code.
“California law still protects its most vulnerable citizens by authorizing a sentence of life imprisonment for this type of child molestation case,” said Dow. “This sentence should ensure that this predator is never able to harm a child again. The bravery of these young survivors should encourage all other victims of sexual abuse to report and seek help from law enforcement.”
The District Attorney’s Office says it recognizes that many victims of childhood sexual abuse never report and that abusers often harm multiple victims. They encourage all victims of childhood sexual abuse to come forward and seek assistance from law enforcement, victim organizations such as Lumina Alliance, and/or other providers of assistance such as counseling organizations.
If you have been a victim, or know someone who is a victim, you may seek assistance in the following ways: for an emergency requiring immediate intervention, call 911; to report suspected child abuse or neglect call the 24-hour Child Abuse Hotline at (805) 781-KIDS (5437) or toll-free 1-800-834-KIDS (5437).
The case was investigated by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation and Child Abuse Interview Team. The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Danielle Baker who was assigned to the District Attorney’s Sexual Violence Unit.
Original story posted Jan. 27, 2023:
Man convicted for sex crimes involving children at Heritage Ranch
– San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow announced this week that a San Luis Obispo County jury has convicted Craig Anthony Grunow, 57, of 11 counts of sexual abuse of three child victims occurring over a three-year period.
The jury found Grunow guilty on all charged counts, which included one count of sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 10 and ten counts of committing a lewd act on a child under the age of 14. The jury also found true a special allegation that Grunow committed lewd acts on multiple victims under the age of 14. This special allegation imposes a sentence of 25 years to life in prison for each eligible offense pursuant to California Penal Code.
Grunow’s predatory crimes occurred in the Heritage Ranch area of rural San Luis Obispo County between August 2018 and August 2021. Two of the young survivors were well known to the defendant and the third young survivor had been invited into the defendant’s home as a guest.
“We admire the profound strength of the three young survivors in disclosing these terrible crimes and in describing to the jury what they endured at the hands of this sexual predator,” said Dow. “We thank the jury for carefully considering all the evidence in this very troubling and emotional case. Without their courage, there would be no justice.”
Grunow faces a maximum of 250 years to life in prison at his sentencing hearing scheduled for March 30, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. in Department 1 of the San Luis Obispo Superior Court, Honorable Timothy Covello presiding.
The case was investigated by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation and Child Abuse Interview Team. The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Danielle Baker who is assigned to the District Attorney’s Sexual Violence Unit.
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