Arcata man sentenced to 125 years to life in child sex abuse case

Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Kaleb Cockrum sentenced Steve Eliott Boudreaux, 38, of Arcata, to 125 years to life in prison on May 20, closing a case that tested child-victim testimony, forensic evidence and the county’s resolve to prosecute abuse that went unreported for years.

Prosecutors said Boudreaux sexually molested two young girls in his home, beginning in 2011 when Doe 1 was only 6 years old. The abuse did not surface until the summer of 2023, when Doe 1, then a young adult, reported it to the Arcata Police Department. During the investigation, Doe 2 came forward as well. Boudreaux was arrested in January 2024.

The case then moved through three trials. The first, about six months after the arrest, ended with a conviction on charges involving Doe 2, but jurors could not reach a unanimous verdict on the counts involving Doe 1. A second trial in January 2025 also fell short, with 11 of 12 jurors voting to convict but no unanimity. In November 2025, a third jury returned convictions on the remaining charges involving Doe 1, allowing the court to impose the life term.

Investigators also built the case through digital evidence. The Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force recovered information from Boudreaux’s cellphone in 2025 showing searches for pornographic material that prosecutors said reflected a sexual interest in incest. That evidence was presented alongside testimony from both victims, who described the abuse in open court during the repeated trials.

The Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office said the case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timm, with help from District Attorney Investigator Ryan Hill and District Attorney Victim Witness Advocate Caitlyn LaHaie. The North Coast Rape Crisis Team supported the victims through the process. Boudreaux was represented by local attorney Casey Russo.

District Attorney Stacey Eads said the sentence held Boudreaux accountable and reflected the courage and persistence of the victims. In Humboldt County court, the result marked a clear precedent: repeated prosecutions, survivor support and digital evidence combined to secure a sentence that will keep Boudreaux in prison for the rest of his life.