From the Office of the District Attorney:
Martinez, California – A Brentwood man was sentenced in Contra Costa County Superior Court after entering guilty pleas to felony charges of attempted sexual abuse of a child under 14 and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Tommy Ray Vance, 48, was sentenced by the Honorable Joni T. Hiramoto on August 18th, 2025, to two years and 10 months in state prison. Vance was further ordered to register for 20-years as a sex offender upon his release from custody.
The offenses for which Vance was sentenced occurred on April 9, 2025, and April 10, 2025, when Vance attempted to coerce a person, whom he reasonably believed to be a 13-year-old child, into meeting him to engage in sex acts. The minor was in fact an undercover Detective with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office. When Vance arrived at a park in Brentwood, he was arrested by patrol units of the Brentwood Police Department.
Investigators with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force served a search warrant at Vance’s home after his arrest and discovered over a dozen firearms. Investigators quickly learned Vance was prohibited from possessing firearms as a result of a 1996 conviction in Contra Costa County for Arson, Intimidating a Witness, and Assault with a Deadly Weapon.
At the time of Vance’s arrest, he was working part-time as a volunteer youth football referee in Contra Costa County.
Vance has been in custody since his arrest and will begin to serve his sentence immediately.
“Thanks to the investigative efforts of Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and Brentwood Police, we were able to ensure this defendant faces consequences for his actions,” said District Attorney Diana Becton. “This case exemplifies our continued dedication to defending our community’s children against those who would harm them.”
Deputy District Attorney Jenna Franklin from the Sexual Assault Unit prosecuted the case. The Contra Costa County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force led the investigation.
