3 S.J. men accused of sex crimes with minor

STOCKTON — Three male relatives now in their 30s have been accused by authorities of having “substantial sexual contact” with a minor female family member over a period of several years while the girl was between 10 and 14 years old, according to police and court documents.

An arraignment in San Joaquin County Superior Court was held Tuesday afternoon in which the men — in custody and speaking through a Spanish-language interpreter — clarified their names, asked for public defenders and acknowledged understanding the multiple felony charges against them.

All three men — Pedro Castro Morales, 39; Bonifacio Morales Castro, 37; and Agustin Castro Morales, 30 — face one count of suspicion of a sex crime with a child 10 years or younger between April 3, 2013 and April 2, 2017, in which they are charged with “an act of sexual intercourse or sodomy.”

The family relationship between the victim and any of the three defendants was not provided.

All three defendants also face one count suspecting them of continual sexual abuse of a minor under 14 years old “while residing in the same home as, or having recurring access to” the child “for a period of time, not less than three months in duration, engaged in three or more acts of lewd or lascivious conduct and three or more acts of substantial sexual conduct” with the child.

The time period listed in the complaint for Bonifacio Morales Castro and Pedro Castro Morales is between April 3, 2014, and April 2, 2017. The time period listed in the complaint for Agustin Castro Morales is one year longer — April 3, 2013, to April 2, 2017.

Two of the men — Bonifacio Morales Castro and Agustin Castro Morales — face a third count suspecting them of committing “a lewd and lascivious act upon and with the body of ” the child “who was 14 years old, with the intent of arousing, appealing to, and gratifying the lust, passions and sexual desires of the defendant who was at least 10 years older than the victim.” This alleged crime is said to have occurred between April 3, 2017, and Oct. 4, 2018.

If convicted on the last count, the defendants would have to register as sex offenders.