Terre Logsdon – Record-Bee staff
CLEARLAKE ? A former Lake County resident will be taken into custody early next month to begin evaluation after being convicted of a felony sex act with a minor.
Jeannette Ann Romo, 29, will return to court on June 9 to be taken into custody and transferred to the Central California Women?s Facility in Chowchilla, the largest female correctional facility in the United States, for evaluation.
Romo was originally charged with 11 counts of felony sexual acts with a minor ? which included both males and females between the ages of 15 and 18. In March she accepted a plea bargain from the District Attorney?s Office and pleaded guilty to one felony sex act charge.
?I don?t want there to be any misunderstanding,? Department 4 Judge Stephen Hedstrom said in court on Friday. ?The court does not conclude that probation is, or should be, the outcome in this case.?
Defense Attorney Steven Tulanian has asked for probation. For probation to be an option, Romo has to undergo the evaluation ? which can last up to 90 days while she?s in custody.
But Hedstrom made it clear on Friday that having the evaluation completed does not mean that Romo will get probation instead of serving time. It will, however, offer the judge more information about Romo when the time comes for her sentencing hearing.
Hedstrom repeated that probation won?t necessarily result. ?The court would like the benefit of the diagnosis to make it?s decision.?
Because Romo?s two children, both in elementary school, will finish the school year on June 8, Tulanian asked the court to allow Romo to return on June 9.
?If she turns herself in at that time,? Deputy District Attorney Susan Krones said, ?then we agree.?
Romo will be back in Department 4 on June 9 to turn herself in and be transported to Chowchilla. After the evaluation is completed, another date will be set for her sentencing.
Contact Terre Logsdon at tlogsdon@record-bee.com.
