MORRO BAY — A San Luis Obispo County jury has found 33-year-old Morro Bay resident Elderjairus Stomtomas Belen guilty of 11 felony counts related to engaging in sex acts with a child under the age of 14. The verdict also confirmed the involvement of multiple victims in the crimes.

During the trial, jurors were presented with evidence that detailed Belen’s involvement in a series of sex acts with two child survivors, which occurred between November 2013 and December 2018. The victims were under the age of ten when the crimes commenced, and Belen was between 23 and 28 years old at the time.

District Attorney Dan Dow expressed his gratitude to the jury for their dedication during this sensitive and emotional case. He commended the bravery of the two young survivors for reporting the crimes and testifying in court, emphasizing the importance of their actions in bringing the perpetrator to justice. He also expressed hope that this conviction would encourage other victims of sexual assault to come forward to law enforcement.

Both victims testified during the trial, with the assistance of Edgar, the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Courthouse Facility Dog. The Courthouse Dog Team, consisting of Edgar and his two handlers, Senior Investigator Tim Murphy and Victim Witness Assistant Director Jennifer Love, provided support during the proceedings.

The sentencing for Elderjairus Stomtomas Belen is scheduled for Dec. 1 at 8:30 a.m. in Department 9 of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, with the Honorable Judge Barry LaBarbera presiding. Belen could face a maximum sentence of 275 years to life in state prison for his conviction.

The case was investigated by the Morro Bay Police Department, with assistance from the District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation. Deputy District Attorney Kimberly R. Dittrich of the Sexual Assault Prosecution Team prosecuted the case.