Judge Sentences Michael Anthony Brians to serve 100 years to Life in prison after a jury found him guilty of 8 counts of sex crimes against children

Author: District Attorney
Date: 12/13/2021 3:45 PM

District Attorney Dan Dow announced today that the Honorable Judge Jacquelyn H. Duffy sentenced Michael Anthony Brians (61) of Santa Margarita to serve 100 years to life in state prison for his convictions of eight (8) felony counts of sex crimes committed against three child victims.

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Michael Anthony Brians (DOB 11/23/1960), a resident of Santa Margarita, was convicted by a San Luis Obispo County jury on October 20, 2021, after investigators and victims testified about the details of his numerous sexual crimes against children committed between 1992 and 2016.  Today, Judge Jacquelyn H. Duffy ordered Brians to serve 100 years to life in state prison for the crimes.  

Evidence presented at trial included witness testimony that the defendant began sexually abusing two children in 1988 when the defendant was only 23 years old.  Although these earlier crimes were not able to be charged as separate crimes in this case due to the statute of limitations, these victims testified for the prosecution under a provision of the California Evidence Code section 1108. Further evidence proved that the defendant continued to sexually abuse three other children with the last crime occurring as recent as 2016.

“Crimes against children and vulnerable victims must be strongly punished,” said District Attorney Dan Dow. “This life in prison sentence not only punishes this predator, but it also sends a strong message to others that you will be sought out, prosecuted and separated from society if you commit such horrific crimes. These survivors’ bravery will surely encourage others to report their own victimization.”

At today’s sentencing hearing, after Jane Doe #1’s emotional victim impact statement, Judge Duffy told her, “I hear you; I see you.”  The Judge went on to say, “I saw you testify bravely, strongly, courageously. …You became a strong advocate, a strong successful person and loving parent. …You are remarkable person, and you matter.”  Victim impact statements from two other survivors were also read for the Judge’s consideration at the time of sentencing.

“We sincerely applaud the courage of the survivors who testified and the tenacity of the law enforcement personnel who gathered and reviewed all of the evidence,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Lisa B. Muscari who supervises the District Attorney’s Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Prosecution Unit.  “These verdicts send a clear message that we will prosecute child sexual predators to the maximum extent of the law.”

This case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Danielle Baker and was investigated by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation.

A copy of the charging document can be found here and a copy of the defendant’s booking photo can be found here.

Please contact Assistant District Attorney Eric J. Dobroth at 805.781.5819 with any questions.

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