Police Arrest Alleged Molester in Rocklin
The sexual abuse of children is one of the most heinous crimes that face the legal system. Fortunately, it appears that an alleged child molester in Marin has been arrested.
Met Through Online Dating
The accused met a 17-year-old girl through an online dating site called OkCupid, one of many computer programs and phone applications where people in similar geographic areas and with similar interests can meet. In order to create a profile with the online dating service, the girl was required to list her age as 18; however, after meeting the accused, she did tell him that she was only 17 years old. This did not seem to faze him as the two continued to talk and get to know each other. Eventually, the two met in person and had sexual intercourse on multiple occasions over the past few months, including at hotels located in Mill Valley and at the home of the accused.
The Circumstances Changed
As the two continued to meet, the girl became frightened as the relationship changed. The girl reported that the man became sexually aggressive and made her uncomfortable. That’s when she decided to tell her mother what had been happening. The mom reported what was going on to the authorities who conducted an investigation. The Marin County sheriff’s department asked for a search warrant for his residence and interviewed the accused. He admitted to the relationship with the girl and the authorities collected the various electronic hardware in his residence for further use in the investigation. Reports say that the authorities are looking for possible lewd texts and photos that the two may have exchanged. The case is still under investigation with the Marin County district attorney’s office.
The Dangers of Online Dating
While there are appropriate concerns regarding clergy sexual assault and sexual assault in youth sports leagues, it is important for parents and their children to understand that there are dangers that exist in online dating with an application such as Tinder, OkCupid, and even Snapchat. In the case highlighted above, the accused only lived a mile from a local high school, making the possibility of school sexual assault a serious issue. Parents and their children should remember that not everyone is who they claim to be in an online dating profile. Those who have suffered sexual abuse often wind up with long-term comorbidities, such as PTSD, as a result. Remember that the first step in stopping sexual abuse is to report it.
Contact an Experienced Sacramento Sexual Molestation Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Sexual Molestation Lawyer. Children deserve the utmost protection against all forms of abuse. If your loved one has been sexually assaulted, please call me at (916) 921-6400 for friendly, free advice. Those calling from outside of the local area can use my toll-free line at (800) 404-5400.
I am a member of the California chapter of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Our group of attorneys has been ranked among the top trial lawyers in the country. Each lawyer in our group has won verdicts or settled cases in excess of $1 Million dollars.
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Photo Credit: D. Sharon Pruitt – Hill AFB Utah, United States (Free A Child’s Cry for Peace – Creative Commons)
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