James Van Norton, 46, was sentenced to 13 years and 8 months for child molestation on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (Tulare County DA)
Share
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
A former Porterville Military Academy teacher was sentenced to 13 years and 8 months in prison Friday for child molestation involving a 14-year-old victim, the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement.
Related Story: Tulare County Shooting Leaves Man Hospitalized, Investigation Ongoing
James Van Norton, 46, was found guilty on Sept. 26, 2024, of three felony counts of sexual intercourse and 13 felony counts of lewd acts with a 14-year-old victim.
The crimes took place between August 2018 and March 2019 in Tulare County, the DA’s office said.
Related Story: Tulare County At-Risk Child Missing, Authorities Seek Public’s Help
Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward expressed dissatisfaction with the sentence, calling it inadequate for the severity of the crimes.
“I am certain that the public views this sentence as wildly inadequate based on the defendant’s actions and position of trust. As a career prosecutor and father, I could easily argue the punishment does not meet the depravity of the crime,” said Ward.
“This case was sentenced in accordance with the current law of California, which states the maximum punishment could be 14 years, 8 months. While my prosecutor argued for more time in prison, we recognize the constraints placed upon the court by the state of California.”
Related Story: Tulare Police Arrest Second Suspect in Fatal Gang-Related Shooting
In addition to the prison sentence, Van Norton will be required to register as a sex offender for life.
—
Connect with Anthony W. Haddad on social media. Got a tip? Send an email.
RELATED TOPICS:
Where Were the Most Car Crashes in Clovis? Police Release List
13 hours ago
Protesters to Rally in Brooklyn After Pro-Israel Crowd Assaults Woman
14 hours ago
Selma Teen’s Death May Be Tied to Fentanyl, Police Say
14 hours ago
Blast Kills at Least 26 People in Nigeria’s Northeast, Residents Say
14 hours ago
5-Year-Old Girl and Parents Among Those Dead in Vehicle Ramming in Vancouver
14 hours ago
Feds Again Bump Up Water Allocation for Many Fresno County Farmers
14 hours ago
Levi Strauss Shareholders Vote Against Proposal to End Diversity Programs
15 hours ago
Death Toll in Iran’s Bandar Abbas Port Blast Rises to 70
16 hours ago
Selma Mayor Responds to Criminal Charge
16 hours ago

Fresno County Farmer Sentenced to Prison in $650,000 Crop Insurance Fraud Case

Where Were the Most Car Crashes in Clovis? Police Release List

Protesters to Rally in Brooklyn After Pro-Israel Crowd Assaults Woman

Selma Teen’s Death May Be Tied to Fentanyl, Police Say

Blast Kills at Least 26 People in Nigeria’s Northeast, Residents Say

5-Year-Old Girl and Parents Among Those Dead in Vehicle Ramming in Vancouver

Wired Wednesday: What’s the Future of Fresno Unified and the Superintendent Position?

Zakaria Draws Parallels Between Trump’s Tariffs, Failed 1930s Economic Policies
