Hollister
– San Benito County Sheriff’s deputies arrested an Aromas man
Thursday on suspicion of sexually abusing a disabled woman.
Hollister – San Benito County Sheriff’s deputies arrested an Aromas man Thursday on suspicion of sexually abusing a disabled woman.
After a two-week investigation by Sheriff’s detectives, Barney Velasquez, 75, was arrested at his home Thursday afternoon on felony charges of incest and sexual abuse of a victim incapable of giving consent, according to Lt. Roy Iler.
The victim, a 46-year-old woman, was placed in protective care with help from local Child Protective Services officials and is living with a relative. Detectives believe the sexual abuse happened on “numerous occasions” during the last 15 years, Iler said. Sheriff’s deputies began investigating Velasquez in May after the victim told officials at an area school that she frequents about the abuse.
“Most of her life she’s probably been abused,” said Detective Tom Keylon. “But now she is safe.”
Iler said many suspects see disabled people as being “easy targets” for abuse and such cases are rarely reported. Iler said that nearly 70 percent of disabled or dependent adults have been abused or otherwise mistreated.
Velasquez is being held at the San Benito County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail. If convicted of the charges, he could face up to 8 years in state prison, according to the California Penal Code.
Brett Rowland covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or br******@fr***********.com.
