Former South Valley band coach sentenced for sex crimes against a minor

VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- Before he sentenced Derek Nishimoto, Judge Brett Alldredge gave some insight into the negotiated plea made in the case.

After the 49-year-old was arrested, Alldredge said his victim, who is now 18, hired her own lawyer in hopes of getting the District Attorney's Office to drop the case against the former volunteer band coach at Mt. Whitney High School.

Tuesday, she asked the court to lift a criminal protective order, which had prevented Nishimoto from having contact with her. The judge granted that request but still sentenced Nishimoto to 270 days in jail and three years felony probation.

Assistant District Attorney David Alavezos said the sentence was for five counts of statutory rape. Three other charges were dropped as part of the plea agreement.

Alavezos said the office has an obligation to protect children, so it was critical Nishimoto be required to register as a sex offender.

"The lifetime registration would ensure that that part of our community's protected. He is getting jail time, but by resolving the case in this way, she didn't have to testify."

Contrary to the victim's wishes, the judge explained how her parents did not feel satisfied with the sentence Nishimoto received.

Last year, police said the victim's family members reported the crimes.

Nishimoto will be taken into custody on November 13th.