Costa Mesa nanny Matthew Zakrzewski was convicted of molesting 16 boys in his care and showing them porn

SANTA ANA, Calif. (KABC) — A 34-year-old Costa Mesa nanny was found guilty Tuesday of molesting 16 boys ages 2 to 12 and showing child pornography to another boy.

Matthew Antonio Zakrzewski was convicted by an Orange County Superior Court jury of 34 sexual offenses related to 17 victims in crimes that prosecutors say occurred between 2014 and 2019. Jurors, who began deliberating Tuesday morning and reached verdicts before lunch, also concluded the sentence was a true improvement for several victims.

Jurors also heard evidence related to two other boys, including one who was allegedly abused, but the defendant was not accused of assaulting those victims, Assistant District Attorney Juliet Oliver said.

When he is sentenced on November 17, he faces a maximum of 690 years to life in prison.

“These boys endured unimaginable terror at the ultimate betrayal of a babysitter,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in a statement. “These parents thought they were hiring a trusted caregiver for their children while they went on family vacations, went on dates, or met other child care needs; instead, they unwittingly allowed a monster to enter their homes and exploit their innocent children in the most despicable way.”

Oliver argued that the defendant videotaped much of the evidence against him.

During opening statements, Oliver said the families believed Zakrzewski was trustworthy and would protect their children.

Oliver said Zakrzewski advertised his work as a babysitter, nanny or caregiver online and said he worked well with young boys.

However, Oliver said Zakrzewski used his business to target his victims.

She said in May 2019, the first victim, identified as John Doe #1, an 8-year-old boy from Laguna Beach, told his mother what allegedly happened to Zakrzewski while he was in his care.

Zakrzewski was out of the country when Joe Doe #1 came forward, but was arrested at LAX after flying back from Spain.

As part of their investigation, authorities seized thousands of images and videos that linked Zakrzewski to other victims.

City News Service contributed to this report.