DATE: May 30, 2024

CASE: Balaji Balu (Case #21FE018061)

PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Ryan Roebuck, Special Assault & Child Abuse Unit

Balaji Balu was convicted by a jury of 10 counts of committing lewd acts upon a child. The statute of limitations for additional independent corroboration was also found true on all 10 counts.

Between 1989 and 1991, Balaji Balu repeatedly sexually assaulted two girls. In 1991, both victims disclosed the abuse to one of the victim’s mothers. The mother took her daughter to the hospital and the doctor alerted Child Protective Services. The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office started an investigation, but the mother turned law enforcement away and would not cooperate with the investigation.  The statute of limitations then ran for the crimes committed against her daughter.  After 25 years, the other victim felt she had suffered in silence for too long and decided to file a police report about the molests that happened to her from ages 5-8.

When a victim of childhood sexual abuse reports for the first time as an adult to law enforcement, special provisions of the statute of limitations apply.  In order to convict Balu, it had to be proven that the reporting victim was sexually assaulted as a child, and that clear and convincing independent corroboration existed to overcome the statute of limitations.  This was accomplished by proving at trial that Balu’s second victim was also sexually assaulted by him and reported when it occurred.

Balu faces a maximum sentence of 26 years in prison.  Sentencing is set for June 28, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in Department 40 before the Honorable Steve White.