Winston-Salem man sentenced to 77 years for child sexual assault

A Forsyth County jury has convicted 47-year-old Santos Melendez-Quintanilla of multiple sexual offenses against a minor, sentencing him to serve between 54 years and 77 years in prison. The victim, who testified about the abuse occurring between January 2018 and January 2019, detailed how Melendez-Quintanilla took her into his bedroom while his wife was distracted and assaulted her. The case began when the victim disclosed the abuse to her mother in 2023, prompting an investigation by the Winston-Salem Police Department. During the trial, evidence included witness testimonies that highlighted the emotional distress the victim experienced prior to reporting the incidents. The case underscores the importance of child protection and the legal system's response to such serious allegations. Melendez-Quintanilla has maintained his innocence despite the overwhelming evidence presented against him.