A man in Southern California has been sentenced to over 700 years in prison for sexually assaulting 16 boys he babysat over the past decade. Matthew Antonio Zakrzewski, 34, was found guilty of molesting the boys, aged between 2 and 12, as well as showing child pornography to another boy with the intent of raping him. The Orange Country District Attorney, Todd Spitzer, described Zakrzewski as a “master manipulator” who filmed the crimes and coached the children on how to deceive their parents about the incidents.
Zakrzewski’s crime spree came to an end when he was arrested by Laguna Beach police after returning from an international flight on May 17, 2019. Initially facing five felony charges, including lewd acts with a minor under 14 and possession of child pornography, the number of charges increased to 34 as more victims were identified through Zakrzewski’s homemade videos and tips from the public.
After being convicted on all 34 counts, Zakrzewski received a sentence of 705 years plus two years and eight months. Prior to the sentencing, family members of the victims read impact statements in court, while Zakrzewski himself refused to apologize for his crimes, stating that he prided himself on bringing happiness to the children he babysat.
Zakrzewski had used a website to find babysitting jobs, advertising himself as “the original Sitter Buddy” and presenting himself as a “manny” offering mentorships, “big brother” relationships, and overnight and vacation services.
