The 11th Judicial District Attorney’s Office has reached a potential plea deal with the former Florence city councilman who was charged last year on suspicion of sexual assault on a child.
68-year-old Anthony Esquibel appeared in court yesterday for a preliminary hearing, but he waived it in exchange for a plea. The disposition calls for a deferred judgment and a sentence for a period of 12 months for one charge of harassment as a misdemeanor with no sexual basis.
He was accused of inappropriately touching a minor female last summer when she was helping him with yard work to earn extra money.
Deputy District Attorney Wendy Owens said the plea is “not ideal” to the young victim and her family, but she claimed the victims have accepted it. Owens added that the prosecution was not able to prove the sex assault allegation beyond a reasonable doubt.
Esquibel is scheduled for plea and sentencing September 15th.
