Prosecutors say Paul James Hultman, 57, befriended the victims and paid them to do chores around his house. After gaining their trust, he paid them to perform sex acts. He was found guilty of four felony child molestation counts involving the victims, who were ages 10, 12 and 13 when the sexual abuse began.
Hultman had been a teacher in Santa Barbara until 2007. He then moved to Apple Valley and became a professional pilot.
According to testimony, Hultman befriended an 8-year-old girl and her younger brother in 2009, buying clothes and food for them. In 2011, the girl introduced him to two of her friends, ages 12 and 13. Prosecutors say Hultman started paying them to perform sex acts on him at his house.
The crimes came to light when the younger victim's brother told his father that Hultman had bathed him and touched his genitals. The girl also then told her father about the sexual abuse.
Hultman was arrested last June at the Apple Valley Airport after the victim's father told deputies he had confronted Hultman and believed he might be heading to the airport to flee.
Hultman is scheduled to be sentenced on May 22. Officials say he faces 45 years and 8 months to life in prison.
