Convicted of child sex crimes, Bay Area man gets 15 years to life, plus 12 years

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By RICHARD BAMMER | Vacaville Reporter

A 59-year-old man convicted last year of child sex crimes was sentenced Friday to 15 years to life, plus 12 years in state prison.

Darrell Michael Savelli, currently in custody at the Stanton Correctional Facility in Fairfield, is awaiting transfer to a state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation facility following the hearing in Judge Daniel Healy’s courtroom, Department 2, in the Justice Building in Vallejo.

A jury on Sept. 13 found Savelli guilty of oral copulation of a minor 10 years or younger; and four counts of lewd and lascivious acts on a minor under age 14, all felonies.

In a press statement issued late Friday, Solano County District Attorney Krishna Abrams noted that from Feb. 2, 2009, through Sept. 28, 2010, when the victim was 7 to 9 years old, Savelli, who was 44 years old at the time, was living with the victim and the victim’s family as a friend of the victim’s father.

The victim “courageously testified” at jury trial on Aug 30 and gave “a powerful victim impact statement” at Savelli’s sentencing, she added.

The DA’s Office filed the criminal complaint against Savelli on July 11, 2013. Savelli was represented by the Alternate Public Defender.

Sgt. Leslie Bottomley of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, formerly of the Vallejo Police Department, investigated the case. Deputy District Attorney Barry Shapiro led the prosecution.

Victim Witness Advocate Amy Harris provided advocacy and support to the victim.