Santa Cruz County surfing mentor pleads guilty to child sex crime

Lucas Klatt faces registration as a sex offender and a two-year prison term, per a plea deal waiving Klatt’s right to a trial in exchange for not contesting a charge of a felony lewd and lascivious act with a minor 14 or 15 years old,

SANTA CRUZ — A 40-year-old Pleasure Point surfing mentor pleaded guilty to a sex crime with a minor during a court hearing Tuesday morning.

Lucas Klatt faces registration as a sex offender and a two-year prison term, per a plea deal waiving Klatt’s right to a trial in exchange for not contesting a charge of a felony lewd and lascivious act with a minor 14 or 15 years old, said Santa Cruz County Assistant District Attorney Steven Moore.

Klatt was arrested by the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office on June 28 and later pleaded not guilty to a series of felony charges including burglary, annoying or molesting a child, stalking and using a child to use or sell illegal substances.

“We obviously agreed to it,” Moore said. “We think it’s a perfect resolution for what happened in our county and we’re satisfied with the result.”

Moore said the victim and victim’s family in the case were alerted to the deal and were similarly satisfied with the outcome.

Klatt remained in Santa Cruz County Jail in lieu of $250,000 Tuesday and was set to appear before Judge Paul Budick on April 2 for sentencing in the case.