On November 19, 2009, Tulare County Superior Court Judge James Hollman imposed a 365 day sentence on 30-year-old Vinay Chand of American Canyon, California. Chand was arrested as a result of an undercover operation, where Tulare County Sheriff’s Department Detective Jason Wall posed as a 13-year-old girl on the internet. Throughout the internet conversations, Chand repeatedly asked the detective (whom he believed to be 13-year-old) if “she” was interested in sexual activities. Chand also sent inappropriate photographs to the detective, and eventually arranged to meet with the “girl” on June 19, 2009. Chand drove several hours to meet with the “girl”, and when he was apprehended in Visalia, he possessed a laptop computer, condoms, and Viagra.

The defendant pled no contest to one felony count of meeting a minor for a lewd purpose. As a result of the plea, the defendant will be on felony probation for three years, in addition to his jail term of 365 days. While on probation, Chand is not allowed to have contact with any child under age 18 without another person over 21 years of age present. Chand cannot possess any pornographic material and cannot frequent playgrounds or schools. Chand must provide the probation department with access codes and passwords to all internet and electronic mail accounts and may not engage in internet chats with persons who identify themselves as being under 18. Chand must complete a 52-week sex offender counseling program and pay a $500 restitution fine. Chand will register as a sex offender under Penal Code section 290 for life and must provide DNA samples under Penal Code section 296.

This case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Bethany M. Gilliland and investigated by Detective Jason Wall of the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department SAFE Team.

Contact Person: Assistant District Attorney, Shani Jenkins, (559) 733-6411.