Terre Logsdon – Record-Bee staff
CLEARLAKE ? A former Lake County resident convicted of having sex with a minor will be taken into custody next week.
Jeannette Ann Romo, 29, was in court Friday, at which time she was expected 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 took a plea bargain offered to her on March 16 and pleaded guilty to one charge of felony sexual acts with a minor. In making the deal, the District Attorney”s Office dropped 10 other similar counts.
But, instead of being taken to Chowchilla, Romo”s application for a one-week stay was granted by Department 4 Judge Stephen Hedstrom. The stay will allow Romo to finish litigation before going into custody.
According to Deputy District Attorney Susan Krones, she was notified that Romo would like to have her parents file for guardianship of her children while she undergoes evaluation, which will take 45 to 90 days. Her ex-husband, Anthony Romo, has requested that his custody order be modified so he can have full custody of their children.
“I don”t have a problem delaying this one week,” Krones said, “but not beyond.”
Romo”s attorney in the family law matter indicated to Krones that Romo would have given her testimony by then. Hedstrom granted the request.
Defense Attorney Steven Tulanian earlier asked that Romo receive felony probation. For that to be an option, she must undergo the California Department of Corrections evaluation process.
However, Hedstrom has indicated so far that he may not allow probation.
“I don”t want there to be any misunderstanding,” Hedstrom said in court on May 5. “The court does not conclude that probation is, or should be, the outcome in this case.”
Hedstrom has said in court previously that he would like to have the evaluation completed before sentencing Romo.
Romo will be back in Department 4 on June 16 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.
