California Man’s 378-Year Sentence Overturned After Judge Rules Accuser May Have Made up Charges

A judge's gavel rests on top of a desk in the courtroom in Miami, Fla., on Feb. 3, 2009. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

WOODLAND, Calif.—A Northern California man’s 378-year sentence for sexual assault has been overturned by a judge who said there was strong evidence that his adopted daughter made up the accusations to punish him and improve her prospects of remaining in the U.S.

Ajay Dev, 58, was released May 23 after 16 years in prison for 76 convictions of sexual assault on a minor and related charges, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Tuesday.