NEVADA COUNTY, Calif. — A former Nevada County resident, Mark Steven Brocke, has been found guilty on all seven felony charges of child sexual abuse, officials announced Monday.
A jury delivered a unanimous verdict on October 30, convicting Brocke on six counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 and one count of continuous sexual abuse of a minor under 14, according to the Nevada County District Attorney’s Office.
The victims, now in their mid-20s to early 30s, testified about the abuse they endured as children. Prosecutors said the crimes often occurred when the victims were isolated from each other or other protective adults.
The judge also found aggravating factors to be true, including the victims’ vulnerability, the use of a position of trust, and the great violence involved. Brocke’s criminal history includes a prior sexual abuse conviction of a 12-year-old girl in 2006, and the court determined he poses a serious danger to society, with his crimes escalating in severity over time.
Brocke now faces a maximum sentence of 115 years to life in prison, with sentencing scheduled for December 19.
