A registered sex offender who sexually abused a young girl and possessed child pornography was found Monday to be sane at the time he committed the crimes.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Abzug made the ruling following a non-jury sanity phase of trial for Ronald Melvin McKenzie, 68. Abzug scheduled sentencing for Oct. 30.
Last Monday, a jury convicted McKenzie of five counts of lewd act on a child and four counts each of oral copulation or sexual penetration with a child 10 years old or younger and possession of child pornography after a prior conviction. The panel deliberated for roughly 2 1/2 hours before reaching its verdict.
McKenzie has a 1990 child molestation conviction, according to the criminal complaint.
Deputy District Attorney Presciliano Duran said McKenzie began sexually abusing a young girl in 2013, then molested her again from July to September of 2017.
McKenzie was arrested at his San Gabriel home after officers responded to a report of suspected child abuse received from the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services.
“During the initial investigation, numerous images of a sexual nature depicting minors were found on the suspect’s computer and cellphone,” said San Gabriel police Lt. Brian Kott around the time of McKenzie’s arrest. “At least one minor depicted in the photos was confirmed as also being a victim of sexual abuse.”