Man gets three years for child molestation

A Tuolumne County Superior Court judge sentenced a former substitute teacher who pleaded guilty to child molestation to three years in prison on Monday.

Peter Linhart, 67, of Soulsbyville, admitted in early June to committing lewd acts with a child under the age of 14.
   

After sentencing, he will have to register as a sex offender with local authorities.

According to Deputy District Attorney Dee Shepherd, Linhart is related to the child by marriage. They live in different counties.

In June 2008, the girl ended up in bed with Linhart and his wife, Ivanka, Shepherd said.   

Linhart claimed that he thought it was his 65-year-old wife he was fondling.

Linhart’s lawyer, Vangie C. Eidsvik-Garza, of Coulterville, said Linhart was extremely remorseful for his actions. Linhart did not speak during the proceedings.

Judge Eric L. Du Temple was not convinced.

“It is clear what Linhart did and it is hard to overlook the lack of remorse,” Du Temple said in court. “This is not a single, isolated incident, and his reaction was that he did not hurt anyone. I’m not inclined to grant probation.”

Eidsvik-Garza argued for counseling and probation with no contact between Linhart and the victim. The prison time was a “death sentence,” she said.

“I don’t think this was the best solution for anyone,” Garza said. “The prison system is ill-equipped for rehabilitation, and with funding difficulties, it’s practically impossible.”