Community Corner
Sex Offender Faces Prison Time for Park Visit
Hugo Godinez could spend up to a year in prison after being convicted of violating the county's ban on sex offenders in its park.
A Santa Ana man could spend a year in prison after being convicted Monday in connection with his May 5 visit to Mile Square Park, a violation of Orange County's ban on registered sex offenders in its parks.
Hugo Godinez, 29, was also convicted of one misdemeanor count of failing to register and show proof of residency upon release from incarceration. He faces a maximum sentence of one year in Orange County Jail at his sentencing hearing Thursday in Westminster.
On May 5 just before 11 a.m., Godinez entered Mile Square Park, according to a release from the district attorney's office, and did not leave the park until 2 p.m. A GPS tracking system was used to verify Godinez's movements.
On June 7, Godinez admitted to an Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy on the Sex Offender Notification and Registration detail that he went to Mile Square Park and stayed at the park for several hours, knowing he was not supposed to be there. He stated that he knew it was wrong and he was going to admit that to his deputy probation officer. He was taken into custody on Sept. 12.
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