Not Guilty Plea In Alleged Teen Sex Slave Case

A 23-year-old man pleaded not guilty Thursday at his arraignment in San Mateo County Superior Court to 159 felony counts that he hid a young girl in his parents' home for about three years during which he molested her and beat her.

John France Gonzales, who appeared briefly in red jail-attire today, is charged with 159 felony counts, including sexual and physical assault, criminal threats, intimidating a witness and domestic violence, defense attorney Paul Demeester said. He faces up to life in prison if convicted.

Gonzales is alleged to have molested the girl beginning when she was 12 years old and later, unbeknownst to his parents, to have hidden her in his room at their homes in Hayward, and later in Daly City, beating and sexually assaulting her repeatedly until she was 16, according to Deputy District Attorney Melissa McKowan.

The charges stem from sexual conduct and domestic violence charges from San Francisco, Sonoma, Alameda and Marin counties, according to McKowan.

Demeester said outside the courtroom that "the actual facts of their (the girl and Gonzales) relationship are not as sexy" as the media has been portraying them. Demeester said that it is the simple case of a man having a serious relationship with girl who happened to be underage.

According to McKowan, Gonzales met the girl when she was 10 and he was dating her aunt. After the relationship ended, Gonzales took the girl from her home and then refused to let her leave, threatening that she would not be able to survive on her own alone, McKowan said.

The incidents took place from October 2002 until November 2006, the district attorney's office reported.

According to the district attorney's office, the girl's parents had reported her as a runaway. When she escaped and told them what had happened, they reported it to police. Gonzales claims the girl consented to the entire episode.

Demeester said that the defense counsel waived a preliminary hearing because there was "no reason to put anyone through the paces." He is hoping the matter will be resolved.

Gonzales remains in custody in lieu of $1 million bail. His jury trial is scheduled to start July 28.