PINIZZOTTO SENTENCED
Mitchell Pinizzotto, 41, was sentenced Tuesday to 31 years in state prison for nine counts of child molestation and one count of rape in Mono County Superior Court, bringing a near five-year case to a close.
The sentencing was attended by several of Pinizzotto’s victims and their families. Many gave emotional, tearful impact statements describing lasting mental health effects, disruptions to their education, and the strain of nearly five years of court proceedings while awaiting resolution.
Pinizzotto was arrested on August 23, 2021, on suspicion of sexual assault after an initial report prompted an investigation that ultimately identified additional victims. The assaults occurred between 2012 and 2021, and the victims were between 7 and 15 years old at the time. All of the crimes occurred in the Lee Vining area.
He was released on $600,000 bail pending trial on November 9, 2021.
In their impact statements, several victims said they’d avoid public spaces, isolate themselves, and live with persistent concern about encountering him.
“My innocence was taken from me, and the repercussions of that act have echoed through every aspect of my existence,” one victim told the court.
She described lasting anxiety, depression, and difficulty trusting others, saying the trauma affected both her academic performance and her relationships with peers and family.
Another victim told the court she has experienced ongoing mental health challenges, including substance use as a coping mechanism.
“I often find myself overwhelmed by fear and stress© I turned to drugs and alcohol to cope, even though I know it is not healthy.”
She described difficulty focusing in school and said the court process itself had been emotionally draining, with intrusive thoughts and ongoing fear tied to the case.
A mother of one victim also addressed the court, describing the broader impact on her family and the ripple effects of trauma on her children’s mental health.
“My children have been deeply affected in their sense of safety and stability,” she said. “They are struggling with emotional trauma and fear for their safety every day.”
She said her children had attempted suicide, and described the financial burden of therapy, medical treatment, and legal proceedings as overwhelming. She said she can no longer work regularly due to the demands of caring for her family.
“It has been more than five years of trying to hold everything together,” she said. “The cost of care, the court process, and trying to protect my family has taken everything we have.”
Other victims described similar patterns of depression, isolation, and difficulty rebuilding normal routines. Several said the long timeline of the case intensified their trauma, as they repeatedly relived details through investigations and court proceedings.
Pinizzotto was sentenced under a negotiated plea agreement. The sentence includes multiple consecutive terms across felony counts, including an 11-year term, a 12-year term, and additional two-year terms that together total 31 years.
He will receive 90 days of custody credit and waived additional pretrial credits as part of the agreement.
In addition to the prison sentence, the court imposed a $6,000 restitution fine and a matching $6,000 parole revocation restitution fine, which will be suspended unless parole is violated. Additional statutory fees were also imposed, including court security and criminal conviction assessments.
He is also required to register as a sex offender for life.
After hearing the impact statements, Judge Magit told the victims, “none of this is your fault,” and wished them healing as the proceedings concluded.
As Pinizzotto was handcuffed and taken into custody for transfer to state prison, the courtroom broke into applause.
