The county probation department released the identities of those arrested, including four sex offenders, in a pre-Halloween compliance check.
The Hollister residents arrested in the sweep who are convicted sex offenders listed on the Megan’s Law website included: Jose Ferreira, 47, listed as transient; Julio Arevalo, 32, whose address is 141 Ventura Court; Pedro Rico, 38, whose address is not subject to disclosure; and John Soza, 47, who resides at 330 McCarthy St.
Probation Chief Ted Baraan released the arrest names upon request, and some addresses are included on the Megan’s Law website that aims to keep the public informed on whereabouts of registered sex offenders.
A fifth suspect was arrested in the same sweep on suspicion of meth possession.
The purpose was to check on sex offenders to make sure they’re complying with terms of their registration or probation. Baraan said he had experience with such compliance checks at his prior job in Alameda County. The local agency has done the Halloween checks the past two years and plans to do another next October, he said.
The pre-Halloween compliance effort was organized by the probation department, sheriff’s office, Hollister police, the U.S. Marshal’s Office and the Santa Clara County SAFE Task Force.
Officers conducted compliance checks on sexual offenders on probation, parole or requiring registration. There were 105 offenders checked on, and five arrests were made. There are a total of 114 registered sex offenders in the county, Baraan said.
