San Mateo County prosecutors on Friday made a rare move and attempted to get Judge Donald Ayoob removed from a high-profile child sex case.
Critics accuse Ayoob of being too lenient. Prosecutors said they have concerns as well.
In two recent sex abuse cases, Ayoob sentenced two men to a year in county jail -- not the multiple years in state prison prosecutors had asked for.
The case prosecutors are trying to remove Ayoob from involves Anthony Satriano, a former teacher at the St. Matthews Episcopal Day School. Satriano is accused of taking lewd photos of some students and girls as young as 5-year-old.
But because prosecutors filed the paperwork late, a judge turned down their request.
Satriano was set to be back in front of Ayoob for an afternoon pre-trial conference. But in another surprise move, a different judge showed up and signed off on a plea deal that could have Satriano serving far less jail time.
His defense attorney said he will ask for probation.
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Parents of the victim tell NBC Bay Area they are disappointed.
NBC Bay Area has reached out to Ayoob for comment but has yet to hear back.
