Briceland Man Sentenced to 23 Years to Life for Sexually Abusing Two Young Girls

Sebastion Hockett, booking photo.

A Briceland man who authorities say filmed himself sexually abusing two young girls as they slept has been sentenced to 23 years to life in state prison. This bringing to a close a case that began with a tip in 2022 about child pornography and led investigators to uncover abuse involving two children.

Sebastion John Hockett, 33, was sentenced June 26 by Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Kaleb Cockrum to 15 years to life plus a consecutive eight-year prison term, according to Humboldt County District Attorney Stacey Eads and court records provided to Redheaded Blackbelt.

Hockett had been held without bail since his arrest on March 30, 2023.

The sentence followed a negotiated plea entered May 14, when Hockett pleaded guilty to one count of sexual penetration of a child 10 years old or younger, and one count of committing a lewd act upon a child under 14. The remaining seven felony counts and a special allegation under Penal Code section 667.61(j)(2) were dismissed as part of the agreement, according to the plea minutes. The agreement called for 15 years to life on the first count with a consecutive eight-year term on the second.

The resolution significantly narrowed a case in which Hockett had originally faced nine felony counts involving two child victims, including three counts alleging sexual penetration or oral copulation with a child 10 or younger, five counts of lewd acts upon a child under 14 and one count of possession of child pornography. Prosecutors had also alleged aggravating circumstances involving multiple victims, particularly vulnerable victims and Hockett’s alleged abuse of a position of trust or confidence.

According to information Eads provided to Redheaded Blackbelt following the sentencing, the investigation began with a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicating that someone using Hockett’s phone had transmitted images of child pornography.

Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Detective Danielle Vickman subsequently obtained several search warrants. According to Eads, the investigation revealed the content of the transmissions and led authorities to identify and locate Hockett.

“Through her investigation Detective Vickman determined Hockett filmed himself on separate occasions sexually molesting two young girls as they slept,” Eads said in information provided to Redheaded Blackbelt.

Eads said Hockett gained access to the children after forming a long-term relationship of trust with a woman and then victimized her niece and the daughter of a close friend.

The original charging document alleged offenses dating from April 2019 through December 2022. Most of the crimes occurred in Humboldt County, while one involving the second child was alleged to have occurred in Stanislaus County. Stanislaus agreed to allow Humboldt County to prosecute the offense here.

The negotiated resolution meant the two children and their family members did not have to testify before a jury.

“Revelation of the child sexual molest crimes hit the families hard, nonetheless the children and their families have demonstrated tremendous strength,” Eads said. “As the case resolved via a negotiated disposition, the children and family members were not called upon to testify during a jury trial.”

Eads credited the children and their families with helping investigators bring the case to a conclusion.

“Their assistance in the investigation and perseverance through lengthy criminal process were instrumental in holding the defendant accountable for his crimes and protecting others in the future,” she said.

Court records from the June 26 hearing show that probation was denied and Hockett was remanded to the custody of the Humboldt County Sheriff for transportation to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The court also ordered him to register as a sex offender and advised him of a lifetime prohibition on possessing firearms or body armor.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Schaffer with assistance from District Attorney Investigator Ryan Hill and District Attorney Victim Witness Advocate Caitlyn LaHaie. Hockett was represented by Deputy Public Defender Luke Brownfield.

Redheaded Blackbelt was unable to cover Hockett’s June 26 sentencing when it occurred because our court reporter was out sick. We subsequently contacted the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office for the outcome and additional information about the case.