A former Hollister resident faces a single charge of felony
child molestation for allegedly raping an 11-year-old Hollister
girl during a two-year period.
Hollister – A former Hollister resident faces a single charge of felony child molestation for allegedly raping an 11-year-old Hollister girl during a two-year period.
Hollister police originally arrested Gabriel Pulido, 23, of Lincoln, Calif., on suspicion of felony oral copulation with a child, rape, unlawful sex with a minor, lewd acts and penetration with a foreign object, said Capt. Richard Vasquez. District Attorney John Sarsfield charged Pulido with felony unlawful sex with a minor on Monday.
Sarsfield could not comment on specifics because the case is still pending.
“We have to charge what the evidence warrants,” Sarsfield said. “However, the charges could be amended after a preliminary hearing.”
Pulido turned himself in to police last Wednesday after the victim identified him as the perpetrator. Vasquez said Pulido knew the victim through an unidentified third person.
“Crimes against small children do happen, not often, but they do happen and that’s when police make arrests,” Vasquez said. “This kind of crime is unacceptable.”
Local school officials contacted police last November with suspicions that the victim was being sexually abused, Vasquez said. After investigating Pulido and talking with the victim, police located Pulido in Lincoln. Vasquez said he did not know why Pulido left Hollister. The victim was afraid to report the incident to police and Vasquez said the sensitive nature of the case mandated an extensive investigation. The investigation lasted nearly six months.
Vasquez praised Detective Tony Lamonica for his work on the case.
“Lamonica did a great job. Any case that deals with children is very sensitive,” he said. “It takes a special investigator to handle these cases effectively.”
Pulido is being held at the San Benito County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail. At the time of his booking last week, bail was set at $245,000. Pulido’s bail was reduced Monday when Sarsfield charged him with felony unlawful sex with a minor.
Pulido is scheduled for arraignment on Friday. If convicted of a single count of unlawful sex with a minor, he could face a maximum of four years in state prison.
Brett Rowland covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or br******@fr***********.com.
