Jury sentences man to 54 years after online grooming led to child abduction

A 57-year-old California man has been sentenced to 54 years in state prison after a jury found him guilty of grooming, abducting and sexually assaulting a 10-year-old boy he met through Xbox Live, prosecutors said.

Javier Arizmendi was convicted on Dec. 10, 2025, on multiple felony counts, including two counts of committing a lewd act upon a child, kidnapping for child molestation, contacting a minor with intent to commit kidnapping or sexual assault, and arranging to meet a minor for lewd purposes. , 

According to the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office. He was formally sentenced on Monday, Feb. 23.

Authorities said Arizmendi first connected with the child in 2019 while playing on Xbox Live. 

Over time, he began grooming the boy by purchasing add-ons for his gaming account and engaging him in conversations that became increasingly inappropriate. Prosecutors said he later sent sexual messages to the child.

Investigators determined that Arizmendi arranged to meet the boy in person and drove nearly six hours from Los Angeles to Sacramento, where the child lived, to pick him up.

Once the child was inside the vehicle, Arizmendi began driving back toward Los Angeles. During the trip, he sexually assaulted the boy, prosecutors said. 

When the child became distressed, Arizmendi turned the car around and returned him to Sacramento.

According to the district attorney’s office, Arizmendi later admitted to detectives that he intended to engage in a sexual relationship with the child once they reached Los Angeles.

The jury found Arizmendi guilty on all major counts following trial proceedings late last year. 

On Feb. 23, a judge sentenced him to 54 years behind bars. Prosecutors said Arizmendi will be eligible for an Elder Parole hearing after serving 20 years of his sentence. 

With in-custody credits, that hearing could occur as early as 13 years into his term.