After the incident was reported in July, San Mateo County Sheriff's Office officials used automatic license plate readers, social media and “other investigative methods” to discover the suspect, the sheriff's office said in a news release Tuesday.
According to the sheriff's office, an investigation revealed that the suspect had tons of of inappropriate conversations with underage girls through social media applications.
The suspect “often drove to the victims or asked them to use public transportation to meet him in person,” the sheriff's office said, adding that many conversations involved the exchange of “child sexual abuse material.”
According to the sheriff's office, he also used false names, including John Kelly and Josh Foire.
On August 15, the Sheriff's Office worked with Pleasanton Police to locate and arrest the suspect.
The sheriff's office said the suspect was booked into Maguire Correctional Facility in Redwood City. He is charged with sexual penetration of an individual under 18, assault with intent to commit a felony, arranging to satisfy a minor for lewd purposes, contacting a minor for the aim of committing a felony and sending harmful material for the aim of enticing a minor.
According to the sheriff's office, investigators consider there could also be additional victims. Anyone with information in regards to the case can contact Detective Nicole Pitts at 650-363-4060 or npitts@smcgov.org or the anonymous tip line at 800-547-2700.
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