Feb 27, 2007

Family of child molester asks for leniency

Bay City News Service

Family members of a 42-year-old computer technician who pleaded no contest to molesting his niece asked for leniency from a San Mateo County Superior Court judge Monday morning, saying his behavior had been very "out of character."

The sentencing of John Olp, a computer administrator at a South San Francisco business, was rescheduled until next week, in order to allow defense attorney John Runfola time to review a probation report.

According to prosecutors, Olp molested his sister's daughter over a five-year-period, beginning when the girl was 9 years old.

Olp was arrested on the night of June 16, when Colma police found Olp and the girl inside his car at a Colma cemetery, where he had taken her to molest her, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office.

Inside the car, police found a vibrator, condoms and a towel with semen on it, the district attorney's office reported. The girl then reportedly told police about the molestations that had taken place from 2001 to 2006.

On Dec. 22, Olp pleaded no contest to 10 counts of child molestation, for which he faces up to 26 years in prison.

In court this morning, Olp's two older brothers acknowledged that their brother needed to be punished, but asked Judge Craig Parsons to consider a lesser sentence.

"This is the most difficult thing I've ever had to face, having a family member do something so terrible to another family member," James Olp said to Parsons, noting that the family has already suffered the tragedy of having another brother murdered years ago.

James Olp asked Parsons to consider a rehabilitative program for his brother. "We know he's got to be punished," he said, "but this is so out of character for him."

Steven Olp echoed his brother, saying that his brother "has been the most generous and supportive person in the family." He added that the family's first concern was for the victim and her mother, their sister, but asked for mercy, saying that he believed his brother would not re-offend.

Olp's sentencing was set for March 7 at 9 a.m. He remains in custody in lieu of $1,000,000 bail.