A Santa Maria man convicted Monday of sexually assaulting two teenage friends of his daughter who were so intoxicated they were prevented from fighting against his advances could spend more than 20 years in prison.

A Santa Barbara County Superior Court jury returned guilty verdicts late Monday afternoon against Steven Bosell, 43, on counts of sodomy, rape and oral copulation of a drunk person, committing a lewd act upon a child, and furnishing alcohol to a minor.

The jury acquitted Bosell of a felony charge of oral copulation on one of the two victims, but instead found him guilty of a lesser misdemeanor count of assault, and a lesser misdemeanor count of battery.

Bosell was charged with 10 felony and misdemeanor counts in all, and there were four victims named in the case, including two teen girls who were victimized solely by the alcohol furnishing.

Jurors started deliberating the evidence Monday morning.

Bosell bowed his head slightly as he listened to the verdicts being read around 4:30 p.m. in Judge Jed Beebe's courtroom.

Deputies handcuffed Bosell, who had been free on bail, and took him into custody at the conclusion of the hearing.

He is set to return to court on Dec. 7 for sentencing.

Deputy District Attorney Stephen Foley, the case prosecutor, said Bosell faces a maximum possible sentence of 21 years and 10 months in prison.

"I'm really happy for

the two victims for having the courage to come forward," Foley said, adding that he was glad the jury convicted Bosell.

Bosell cannot be convicted of two misdemeanor counts in place of one felony count as the jury did on the oral-copulation count, Foley said, and the issue will be sorted out at sentencing.

The mother of one of the sexual assault victims said outside court after the verdicts were read that she felt both "sad and happy," as the case had been difficult on everyone involved.

She said her daughter had been receiving counseling.

"We've actually already moved forward very well."

A friend of Bosell who was present for the reading of the verdicts said that she sat through much of the trial, and maintains that his is innocent.

"He's not guilty," said the woman, who declined to reveal her name.

Bosell's attorney, Robert Sanger, said he would be filing a motion for a new trial, "and we'll see what happens at that point."

Bosell's trial started on Oct. 13 with opening statements. During the trial, the jury heard from the victims, as well as viewing a videotaped interview of Bosell by a detective.

In the interview, Bosell admitted getting into his bed separately with the victims, who prosecutors said were both 15 at the time. However, he denied engaging in sexual activity with them.

Prosecutors presented testimony that Bosell let his teenage daughter and her friends drink alcohol at his house on multiple occasions.

October 27, 2009