Man guilty of molesting children

A Carson City man was convicted Friday for the sexual assault of a 13-year-old neighbor boy and 16-year-old girl.

John Fitzgerald Crowley, 38, stood as the clerk announced the jury's finding of guilt on five counts: felony sexual assault of a child under 14, felony sexual assault of a child under 16, felony lewdness of a child under 14 and two gross misdemeanor counts of open and gross lewdness. Each felony count carries a potential penalty of life in prison.

He has remained in jail since his September arrest on a $250,000 bail. Crowley was sentenced to eight years in prison in Santa Maria, Calif., in 1983 for lewdness with a child under 14. He spent four years in the Chino Penitentiary. District Judge Bill Maddox ruled Tuesday the prior conviction would be kept from the jury.

"I'm so happy to know he is convicted," the boy's mother said. "Now my son can put this behind him."

Crowley was a neighbor of the male victim at a motel in Carson City. According to court testimony, he befriended the then-12-year-old child and one evening asked his mother if the boy could stay the night. The boy said he fell asleep and was awakened by Crowley performing a sexual act on him.

The female victim met Crowley through her mother. She said over the course of a year Crowley would perform sexual acts on her while she slept.

Deputy District Attorney Jason Woodbury was pleased with the jury's findings.

"I feel good," he said. "If he's out, he's going to do it again."

Sentencing is set for March 13.