A businessman who had been living in San Diego’s East Village pleaded guilty to eight felonies, including three counts of forcible rape of his minor sister, in Ventura County on May 14, 2024.
Stephen Dela Cruz, 37, who owns FreeHypnosisGift.com is a self-proclaimed hypnotherapist, life coach and business strategist.
According to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, the eight felonies also include “three counts of forcible oral copulation, and two counts of sexual penetration by a foreign object. Delacruz also admitted to the special allegation that the victim was under 18 years of age.”
Dela Cruz, who appeared in an August 2023 profile in The San Diego Sun, could not be reached for comment for this story.
Note: His surname is spelled “Delacruz” is the criminal filing. “Dela Cruz” appears in recent business literature and on his website.
Dela Cruz was scheduled to be sentenced on June 27 in Ventura County Superior Court. District Attorney Eric Nasarenko intended to ask the judge for the maximum 30-year sentence in state prison.
However, Dela Cruz may have violated his bail agreement and could appear in court on Monday, June 3, according to Ventura County DA Communications Manager Joey Buttitta.
*UPDATE: On June 3, Dela Cruz was sentenced to 24 days in county jail for violating the terms of his bail agreement, according to the Ventura County Star. He will remain in jail until his June 27 sentencing hearing.
*UPDATE: On June 27, Delacruz was sentenced to 30 years in state prison for sex crimes committed against his younger sister, according to a press release from the Ventura County DA’s Office.
The sexual assaults were first reported in 2001 and 2002, according to the DA’s Office. Dela Cruz was 14 and 15 at the time. His sister was eight years old.
According to the DA report, “the crimes involved significant sophistication and planning and were especially violent and severe.”
Because of the severity of the case, it was transferred from juvenile to adult court. Through twists and turns and a change in state law, the case dragged on under the radar in the legal system.
Dela Cruz was described as “outgoing and energetic at networking events,” according to a San Diegan who didn’t want to be indentified. “My reaction to this story is–very surprised. The vibe he gave off was very likable. He was all about helping small business owners.”
In 2023, Dela Cruz told The Sun that he “…Grew up in a military family and moved up and down the California coast. Moved to San Diego from the Bay Area in 2011 and now consider San Diego my hometown. My wife, Angela, and I have lived downtown since 2014.”
He candidly revealed that his wife is an adult film actress who performs under the stage name Christy Love.
They are both pastors and ran the Living Faith Church San Diego, where the slogan is “for sinners by sinners.”
Stephen said of his wife: “Angela and I have been married for 14 years but dating for 18 years and have an open marriage. It was tough in the beginning but I love this adventure we’re on together.”
For the last month, Dela Cruz, who had been free after posting a $500,000 bail, has been putting up daily video logs (vlogs) on YouTube. The rambling vlogs show him alternately spending time in San Diego and Los Angeles.
It appeared he was still living in his East Village residence with his wife and dog. He vaguely mentions on some of the vlogs that he is moving to Los Angeles. He does not divulge details about the move or his pending sentencing in the videos. SDSun
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