S. Calif. fortuneteller convicted of child rape; told teens sex would change bleak futures

S. Calif. fortuneteller convicted of child rape

TORRANCE, Calif. — A Southern California fortuneteller has been convicted on nine felony sex counts for convincing two teenage girls he could turnaround bleak futures if they had sex with him.

A Torrance jury deliberated about a day before returning guilty verdicts Thursday against 47-year-old Cesar Duran on charges that included forcible rape and lewd acts with minors. He faces up to 30 years in prison when he’s sentenced in April.

Prosecutor Lana Kim said the Inglewood man tricked the girls into having sex with him by telling them bad things would happen and he could help by having sex with them.

Defense lawyer Gregory Humphries insisted the girls were lying and says a cold interrogation room led to Duran’s videotaped confession.

Information from: Daily Breeze, www.dailybreeze.com