In November of 2025, Hennepin County Child Protective Services (CPS) received reports relating to the sexual abuse of two female children by an adult male family member. The case was cross reported to the Minneapolis Police Department, and an investigator was assigned to the case. CornerHouse forensic interviews were scheduled with both minors. I. O. P. (herein Victim 1) was 17 years old at the time of her forensic interview which occurred on November 13, 2025. Victim 1 disclosed that she was touched inappropriately by her ex-stepfather who was identified as JACIEL PONCE SANCHEZ; [DOB REDACTED] (herein Defendant). Victim 1 described an incident when she was approximately 8 years old when the Defendant touched her vagina under her clothes with both his hands and his feet.
She described the touching as painful and she noted that she felt a painful, burning sensation the next time she used the bathroom after the touching. Victim 1 described a separate incident when she was approximately 8 years old in which the Defendant waited until Victim 1’s mother was asleep and then he slid his hand under Victim 1’s dress and touched her breast with his hand. Victim 1 described not telling anyone for years because she was afraid of the Defendant and she was worried that she’d get in trouble for not saying anything for so long.
She indicated that both incidents occurred at her Aunt’s house when her family was living with her Aunt. Investigators learned that the home was in the area of 100 East 35th Street in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota. Victim 1 and the Defendant lived in that home from 2014 into 2017. A. C. O. (herein Victim 2) was 11 years old at the time of her forensic interview which also occurred on November 13, 2025. Victim 2 disclosed an incident in which the Defendant, her Aunt’s ex-husband, touched her inappropriately.
She described the Defendant calling her name and asking her to come into his bedroom where they both laid down on the bed. The Defendant then laid behind Victim 2 in a “spooning” position. After that, the Defendant pulled up Victim 2’s skirt and pulled down her underwear. He then pulled down his own pants and underwear exposing his penis. The Defendant then rubbed his penis against Victim 2’s butt and side. Additionally, Victim 2 described multiple instances of the Defendant trying to kiss her. Victim 2 indicated that she was approximately 6 years old when this happened.
Victim 2 stated that the touching occurred in the house that she currently lives in which is in the area of 3500 3rd Avenue South in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota. Victim 2 was 6 years old between May of 2020 and June of 2021. Investigators spoke with multiple family members who were able to describe prior consistent disclosures made by Victim 1 and 2. Family members were also able to corroborate various aspects of things that were described by Victim 1 and 2 during their forensic interviews.
