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After 16 years in prison, a California man wrongfully sentenced to 378 years for sexual assault has been freed as evidence reveals his adopted daughter likely fabricated accusations to secure her immigration status.
Key Takeaways
- Ajay Dev, 58, was released after serving 16 years of a 378-year sentence for sexual assault charges that a judge now rules were likely fabricated.
- Judge Janene Beronio found substantial evidence that Dev’s adopted daughter, Sapna, falsified allegations to punish him and improve her chances of remaining in the United States.
- Four witnesses testified that Sapna’s accusations were lies or motivated by anger, with one credible witness confirming Sapna made accusations to improve her immigration status.
- A June 13 hearing will determine whether the Yolo County District Attorney will retry Dev or appeal the judge’s ruling overturning his conviction.
Justice After Nearly Two Decades
On May 23, Ajay Dev walked free when his 378-year prison sentence was overturned by Yolo County Superior Court Judge Janene Beronio. Dev had been convicted in 2009 on 76 counts related to the alleged sexual assault of his adopted daughter, Sapna Dev. After carefully reviewing years of evidence, Judge Beronio determined there was substantial evidence suggesting Sapna had fabricated the charges that sent her adoptive father to prison. The case has exposed troubling questions about how the American justice system can fail when immigration status becomes entangled with criminal accusations.
A Yolo County man’s 76 convictions and 378-year sentence for years of sexual assaults have been overturned by a judge, who said there was strong evidence that the man’s accuser had fabricated the charges to punish him. https://t.co/Dkw1CdwZ9T
— San Francisco Chronicle (@sfchronicle) May 28, 2025
“I have read the court material for seven years and believe there is a substantial likelihood that he didn’t do this. I don’t think $60,000 is reasonable… I think OR is reasonable,” said Judge Beronio in her ruling.
Immigration Motive Behind False Accusations
The court’s investigation revealed a disturbing motive behind Sapna’s accusations. Sapna, who was adopted from Nepal in 1998, made her allegations against Dev in 2004. According to court documents, witnesses testified that Sapna fabricated the charges to punish Dev and to secure her immigration status in the United States. Judge Beronio specifically noted that “Sapna was determined to return to the United States and needed to use the criminal charges to do that,” highlighting how our immigration system can create perverse incentives for false accusations against innocent citizens.
“A Northern California man’s 378-year sentence for sexual assault has been overturned by a judge who said there was strong evidence that his adopted daughter made up the accusations to punish him and improve her prospects of remaining in the U.S.,” reported the San Francisco Chronicle.
The judge’s ruling cited testimony from four witnesses who stated that Sapna’s accusations were lies motivated by anger. Particularly damning was evidence showing that Sapna had expressed affection for both Ajay Dev and his wife between 1999 and 2004, directly contradicting her claims of ongoing abuse during this period. These revelations paint a clear picture of our justice system’s vulnerability to manipulation when politically charged issues like immigration intersect with criminal accusations.
Racial Bias and Systemic Failures
The Dev case also highlights issues of racial and ethnic bias in our justice system. Judge Beronio’s ruling specifically addresses aspects of the prosecution’s case that may have been influenced by racial prejudice against Dev, who is of South Asian descent. This aligns with concerns addressed by California’s Racial Justice Act, which prohibits testimony appealing to prejudice based on race or ethnicity. The fact that it took 16 years to uncover this miscarriage of justice raises serious questions about the thoroughness of our courts.
“We have known from the beginning that Ajay Dev was wrongfully convicted,” said Patricia Purcell, a member of the advocacy group supporting Dev. “Judge Beronio was the first judge to really look closely at the evidence and read every document.”
The Path Forward
Dev’s legal journey is not yet complete. A trial setting conference and motion hearing scheduled for June 13 will determine whether the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office will retry Dev or appeal Judge Beronio’s ruling. The prosecution has remained silent on their intentions, raising questions about whether they will acknowledge this grievous miscarriage of justice or continue to defend a deeply flawed conviction. While Dev has regained his freedom after 16 years behind bars, no amount of time can restore what was taken from him by false accusations.
Purcell noted that the judge’s ruling “dismantles the DA’s case,” providing a strong foundation for Dev to permanently clear his name. Meanwhile, Dev’s attorney has emphasized his client’s clean record both before and during his incarceration, further supporting his innocence. This case stands as a stark reminder of how our legal system can be weaponized through false accusations, particularly when immigration benefits create incentives for dishonesty. The coming weeks will reveal whether justice will finally be fully served for Ajay Dev after nearly two decades of wrongful imprisonment.