Nipomo man sentenced for sexually abusing adoptive daughter
–Tuesday, Judge John A. Trice sentenced 51-year-old Robert John Bergner of Nipomo to serve 20 years-to-life in state prison for sex crimes committed against a female victim who was his adopted daughter. The abusive sexual crimes occurred between 2008 and 2014, according to the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney.
Bergner was given a five year sentence for his conviction of “Forcible Lewd Act Upon a Child” and a consecutive sentence of 15 years-to-life for his conviction of an “Aggravated Sex Act Upon a Child.” The investigation and prosecution revealed that Bergner molested the victim from the time she was 12 years old, until she fled at age 18.
During the sentencing hearing, the victim of this case took the opportunity to speak directly to the defendant and the court about how the abuse affected her. “The victim in this case is a hero who displayed great courage by reporting the horrible abuse committed against her by someone she trusted and who should have been protecting her,” said District Attorney Dan Dow. “Abuse like this, whether physical, sexual, or psychological will not be tolerated in our community.”
The case was investigated by the San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Department. Deputy District Attorney Julie Antos, a member of our Sexual Assault Prosecution Team, was the assigned prosecutor on this case.
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