Modesto man sentenced to 6 years, 8 months in prison for molesting family member
A Modesto man convicted of molesting and secretly video recording an adolescent family member was sentenced this week to 6 years and 8 months in prison.
Jim Patrick Arnold, 41, faced a maximum sentence of more than 17 years in prison.
Deputy District Attorney Erin Schwartz said Wednesday she asked judge Shawn Bessey for a mid-term sentence of 12 years while Arnold’s attorney argued for probation during a hearing on Monday.
“He will serve 85% of the time,” Schwartz said.
In March Arnold pleaded no contest to all the charges against him: continuous sexual abuse of a child, possessing of child pornography and using a child for posing or modeling involving sexual conduct, all felonies; as well as a misdemeanor for using a hidden camera.
The victim spoke before Arnold’s sentencing, according to a press release from the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office.
“James had a choice...and he made the choice to touch me over and over,” she said. “I was vulnerable and people that have a lack of love (can’t) recognize what love really feels like or looks like, so I was easy prey.”
While initially fearful, the victim said she wanted to give a statement in order “to get closure (so) that he won’t be able to hurt me, the people I love, or anyone else ever again.”
The defendant also gave a statement to the court, according to the press release.
He said he “was selfish and took advantage of (Jane Doe’s) vulnerability...none of this was (her) fault.”
“It was never his intent to hurt so many people but wanted Jane Doe to “know [he] wants what’s best for (her) and will always love (her),” he said.
Arnold molested the victim three times between March 2018 and February 2019 and used a hidden camera to record her showering. The video was found on a USB drive that Arnold asked a friend to retrieve from the home he shared with his wife after his arrest last February.
Arnold has been free on $100,000 bail but was remanded into custody following his sentencing.
In addition to serving six years and eight months in prison, Arnold will have to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life and will be on parole for about 20 years once released.
At the time of his arrest, Arnold worked as a senior human resources analyst for the Modesto Irrigation District, a position from which he has since resigned. Before that, Arnold worked for the city of Modesto, where he held several positions culminating with human resources manager.
