People v. De La Cruz CA1/5

Filed 9/30/25 P. v. De La Cruz CA1/5 NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.

IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

FIRST APPELLATE DISTRICT

DIVISION FIVE

THE PEOPLE, Plaintiff and Respondent, A172499 v. JOEL PADILLA DE LA CRUZ, (Sonoma County Defendant and Appellant. Super. Ct. No. SCR7524691)

Defendant Joel Padilla De La Cruz was charged with 35 felony counts related to his sexual abuse of four minors. Numerous enhancements and aggravating factors were also alleged. Defendant ultimately entered a no contest plea to six felony counts, including committing lewd acts on Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 3, minors under 14 years old (Pen. Code, § 288, subd. (a));1 forcible rape of Jane Doe 2 (§ 261, subd. (a)(2)); and unlawful sexual intercourse with Jane Doe 4, a minor under 16 years old (§ 261.5, subd. (d)). As to two of the counts, defendant admitted multiple-victim enhancements pursuant to section 667.61, subdivisions (e)(4) and (j)(2). Defendant also admitted four aggravating factors. In accordance with the

1 Unless otherwise stated, all statutory citations herein are to the Penal

Code.

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negotiated disposition, the trial court sentenced defendant to a total determinate term of 15 years plus an indeterminate term of 25 years to life. Defendant’s appointed appellate counsel filed a brief pursuant to People v. Wende (1979) 25 Cal.3d 436 (Wende) in which he raises no issue for appeal and asks this court for an independent review of the record. (People v. Kelly (2006) 40 Cal.4th 106, 123–124 (Kelly).) Counsel attests that he advised defendant to contact him to discuss any issue or fact defendant deems relevant on appeal. Counsel also advised defendant of his right to file a supplemental brief. Defendant has taken neither action. We have examined the entire record in accordance with Wende. We agree with counsel that no arguable issue exists on appeal and, therefore, affirm. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND On May 22, 2023, an information was filed charging defendant with 35 felony counts related to his sexual abuse of four young females: Jane Doe 1, a minor under age 14 (counts 1–2, 30, 33); Jane Doe 2, a minor under age 14 (count 3, 27); Jane Doe 3, a minor under age 14 (counts 4–10, 28, 31, 34); and Jane Doe 4, a minor under age 16 (counts 12–26, 29, 32, 35). As to count 1, it was further alleged defendant kidnapped Jane Doe 1 (§ 667.61, subd. (d)(2)); as to count 11, it was alleged defendant engaged in the tying or binding of Jane Doe 3 (§ 667.61, subd. (e)(5)); and as to counts 1–2 and 4–11, it was alleged defendant committed an act specified in section 667.61, subdivision (j)(2) against multiple victims (§ 667.61, subd. (e)(4)). Finally, several aggravating factors were alleged under the California Rules of Court relating to both defendant and the nature of his crimes.