California, October 5: A 34-year-old male nanny of California in US has been found guilty of molesting 16 boys, aged 2 to 14, and showing another victim child pornography. Matthew Antonio Zakrzewski was convicted by the Orange County Superior Court jury of 34 felony sex charges related to 17 victims in crimes that prosecutors said took place from 2014 through 2019. He also filmed many of the sexual assaults on the boys.

New York Post reported that Zakrzewski, of Costa Mesa in California, was arrested in May 2019 after a couple told Laguna Beach police that he touched their son inappropriately. Zakrzewski was originally charged with three felony counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under the age of 14, and one felony count of oral copulation of a child under the age of 10. He was also charged with one felony count of possession of child pornography. US Shocker: Tennessee Teacher Accused of Raping Student Stalks and Harasses Victim, Admits of 'Sexual Encounter'; Arrested.

More alleged victims were identified, and Zakrzewski was ultimately charged with 34 felonies, including lewd and lascivious acts with a minor. US Shocker: Pennsylvania Cop Falsely Commits Ex-Girlfriend to Mental Facility, Held After Video of Improper Detaining of Victim Goes Viral.

Zakrzewski had billed himself on his website as a “manny,” who not only watched over children but provided a fun “buddy” experience.

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said, “These young boys were forced to endure unimaginable terror as a result of the ultimate betrayal by a babysitter. These parents thought they were hiring a trusted caregiver for their children while they went on family vacations, date nights, and for other childcare needs; instead they were unknowingly letting a monster walk into their homes and prey upon their innocent children in the vilest way.”

He went on to say that he was incredibly proud of the young victims who barely took the stand to testify against their abuser, the parents who were by their side every step of the way, and the parents who testified themselves. “By standing up to this predator and telling the truth about what he did, they are ensuring that the voices of the victims of sexual assault are being heard while they are protecting other children from being victimised,” he further said.

Zakrzewski is set to be sentenced on November 17, 2023, where he faces 690 years to life plus eight years.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 05, 2023 01:47 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).