That's the other part I don't understand. The other offense, the first one with the 14-year-old for which he was sentenced to probation, was a misdemeanor? In Tennessee I think there's a category called "sexual battery" which, IIRC, would cover any illegal sexual contact with a minor, short of full rape. And it ain't no misdemeanor.
In the old days it was seen as appropriate if these girls' brothers would personally take this guy and, um, make a strong impression on him.
Who knows what the heck is going on with the CA laws regarding consent...
Maybe the age of consent in CA is 14. It wouldn't surprise me. But maybe there's also a "Romeo and Juliet" clause that references an age differential, so that a 17 year old who has sex with a 16 year old doesn't wind up a "sexual predator" in the eyes of the court.
Either way, 3 years isn't enough.
Mark