A registered sex offender who engaged in sex acts with a 16-year-old girl at an El Cajon motel was sentenced this week to four years and eight months in state prison.
Lawrence Cantrell, 35, pleaded guilty earlier this year for his part in the March 2023 encounter with the minor at the Motel 6 on Montrose Court.
Police said the crime came to light after an employee for homeless services provider People Assisting the Homeless — or PATH — told police that, in a phone conversation, Cantrell admitted to sex acts with the girl.
Further investigation led to the discovery of a cell phone video showing the juvenile engaging in sex acts with co-defendant Michael Inman, police said.
At a preliminary hearing last year in El Cajon Superior Court, defense attorneys for both men argued their clients believed the girl was 18.
Cantrell pleaded guilty to charges that include unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor and possession of child pornography. He was sentenced Thursday afternoon.
Inman, 71, was convicted by an El Cajon jury last month of crimes that include sexual penetration of a person under 18 and possession of child pornography. Inman has yet to be sentenced.
Both men had previously been convicted of sex offenses before the March 2023 incident.
Inman was convicted of assault with intent to commit rape in 1978 in Orange County and lewd acts upon a child in 2005 in San Diego County. Cantrell was convicted of possession of child pornography in 2018 in San Diego County.
–City News Service
