Orange County man convicted of having sex with, supplying marijuana to 12-year-old girl
A Santa Ana man has been convicted of having sex with a 12-year-old girl he met while playing basketball at a high school.
Neftali Pena Procopio, 32, pleaded guilty to two felony counts of lewd acts on a child under 14 and a felony count of furnishing marijuana to a minor, according to the Orange County district attorney’s office.
Procopio met the girl Aug. 16, 2010, on the campus of Santa Ana High School, where he was playing basketball. He persuaded her to sneak out of her home to meet him that night, according to a statement from the district attorney.
The crimes took place in Procopio’s parked car. A Santa Ana Police Department officer discovered them after noticing that the car’s windows were fogged up. A discarded condom was found outside.
Procopio was arrested at the scene and the girl was taken home to her parents, who did not realize she had left the house.
Procopio faces a maximum of 11 years and 8 months in prison when sentenced April 1.
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-- Abby Sewell
Photo: Neftali Procopio. Credit: Santa Ana Police Department
EDITOR'S PICKS:
If we would just legalize marijuana this would have never happened
Posted by: u know | March 25, 2011 at 07:48 PM
I'm sure he would eventually be headed to Mexico with her had he not been caught. What is it with a culture that seems to encourage sex between adults and 12 year olds? Half the runaways are usually found with their boyfriend, home boy in Mexico.
Posted by: Frank Wilheilm | March 25, 2011 at 09:21 PM
Lawrence Taylor got a slap on the wrist.Well....well.
Posted by: Comcuy | March 25, 2011 at 10:11 PM
Viva LaRaza
Posted by: James Andrews | March 25, 2011 at 10:21 PM
What's his immigration status?
Posted by: GEAH | March 25, 2011 at 11:41 PM
An adult can not "have sex with" a 12-year old. It is rape. I sure wish reporters would start getting this right.
Posted by: Susan | March 25, 2011 at 11:53 PM
Marijuana has nothing to do with this case or article. Sure maybe he offered or lured the girl with it, but that is irrelevant to the fact of his motive. If not her with marijuana, than another preteen with something else.
Posted by: nate | March 26, 2011 at 02:17 AM
None about Caesar trust but Proculeius.
Posted by: Schigolch | March 26, 2011 at 02:48 AM
Neftali Pena Procopio, 32,
---------------------------------------
illegal aliens living in Santa Ana. This is their culture.
Seal the Border!
Posted by: Rob | March 26, 2011 at 08:50 AM
illegal alien ?
Posted by: Rob | March 26, 2011 at 08:51 AM
Is he legal?
Posted by: Rob | March 26, 2011 at 09:02 AM
This reeks of Roman Polanski and the usual LA/Hollywood favoritism. Why isn't Polanski facing 11yrs in the clink for his rape of a 13 yr old?
Posted by: FR415 | March 26, 2011 at 11:00 AM
Food for thought: Instead of having the sex-weed situation with this man, what if this girl had committed some horrible crime? In the eyes of many people, including many legal systems, she would suddenly morph into an adult.
Posted by: Charles J | March 26, 2011 at 11:15 AM
What a UGLY man!
Posted by: msmd | March 26, 2011 at 11:37 AM
ROMAN POLANSKI has the legal team and funds to fight it....How FAIR is the justice system and the victim who refuses to do the right thing for all kids. Justice system needs to apply the law evenly and fairly!!!
Why is anyone asking about his legal status? Or making assumptions he's Mexican? This is about a man who broke the law! And, the law needs to be judicious and protect society from this loser.
Posted by: Rosario | March 26, 2011 at 11:47 AM
He should have gotten life is there an ave limit in mexico culcure clash
Posted by: Will | March 26, 2011 at 12:09 PM
too bad no picture of the girl.
Posted by: Jesse | March 26, 2011 at 03:49 PM
I find it quite interesting that this story has generated so many comments about this con's supposed ethnic backround/immigration status. I also find it ridiculous that many of you seem to believe that ALL latinos engage in this disgusting behavior. I seem to recall a story that's just a few pages back from this post about a Caucasian man from the city of Irvine that was arrested for having sex with a 15 year old girl. Interestingly enough, there was only about 3 comments on that post. Point is, these creeps come in all races.
Posted by: Karla | March 28, 2011 at 11:22 AM