A 62-year-old Woodland Hills man is facing 10 counts of sexual abuse crimes against children that involved at least three victims over a multi-year period.

In a criminal complaint filed Wednesday in the Los Angeles Superior Court, Ernest Urioste, 62, was charged with 10 separate counts of sexual crimes against children under the age of 10, in sexual abuse cases that spanned several years.

Urioste pleaded not guilty Thursday to the following felony charges: four counts of lewd act upon a child under 14, four counts of oral copulation/sexual penetration with a child 10 years old or younger and two counts of lewd act upon a child.

The earliest known victim included in the complaint was only 5 years old when the then-31-year-old Urioste allegedly began abusing her in October 1994. The abuse would continue for two years into October 1996, according to the complaint.

Urioste was also charged with two counts pertaining to the alleged abuse of a second victim under the age of 10, starting in March 2008 and continuing into March 2012.

A third victim from Canyon Country was also included in the complaint. Urioste was charged with 5 counts pertaining to the ongoing abuse of a child under the age of 14 between January 2016 and January 2019.

Multiple aggravating factors were identified in the complaint, alleging that the victims were considered to be “particularly vulnerable,” Urioste carried out his alleged crimes in a manner that “indicates planning, sophistication, and professionalism,” and “took advantage of position of trust and confidence to commit the offense”.

Urioste could face life imprisonment if he is convicted on all charges.

Anyone with information regarding Urioste and possible additional victims are encouraged to contact the SCV Sheriff’s Station at 661-260-4000.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted to L.A. Crime Stoppers by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477) or (8477) or by clicking here.

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