Man receives 26 years for sex crimes

Judge Mitchel Rigby has sentenced Gilbert Leyva of Madera to 26 years in state prison for committing “lewd or lascivious” acts upon two victims under the age of 14.

Leyva pled guilty to two such acts with one victim and one with a second victim as well as a prior strike allegation. After serving his prison sentence, he will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

Madera County District Attorney David Linn praised the work of Senior Deputy District Attorney Traci Wise, the two victims who came forward, the support of Victim Services/Community Action Partnership, and Madera Police Cpl. Alicia Keiser and Officer Christopher Anaya, “who responded to the situation as it unfolded and were able to keep the victim safe,” according to senior administrative analyst John Bell.

Rigby passed sentence Friday on Leyva in Department 29 of Madera County Superior Court.