A former New York city fire captain was sentenced Thursday to 270 days in county jail and one year of sex offender therapy for lewd acts with two 11-year-old brothers while he was visiting family members in Hollywood.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge David M. Horwitz also ordered Wilbert Riera, 52, to serve five years on probation and to register as a sex offender for life.
Riera resigned from his job a day before his Sept. 10 no contest plea.
The boy’s father told the judge that he and his wife have been picking up the pieces since their twin sons told them what had happened.
“I’m proud that they had the courage to speak up,” he said.
At a hearing last month, the boys’ mother told the judge, “We trusted him and he came into our lives and betrayed that trust.”
Riera’s attorney, Shawn Holley, noted that her client “has maintained his innocence” and said outside court that the case involved “rough-housing, tickling.”
“My client maintains there was not ever any sexual intent,” she said.
Riera — who spent nearly three months behind bars before being released on bond — was charged last September with the crimes.
—City News Service