Hollister
– San Benito County sheriff’s deputies found a man wanted in
Riverside County for multiple felony sex crimes hiding in the attic
of a Hollister home Friday morning.
Hollister – San Benito County sheriff’s deputies found a man wanted in Riverside County for multiple felony sex crimes hiding in the attic of a Hollister home Friday morning.
Kenneth John Sarmento, 24, was arrested on a $1 million warrant for kidnapping, child molestation and rape by force, Sgt. Tom Keylon said.
Sarmento was arrested by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office on Feb. 8, according to the Riverside County Superior Court.
Local authorities said they do not know the details of the crimes Sarmento was charged with in Riverside County.
Sarmento faces a charge of molesting a child under the age of 14, according to Riverside County Superior Court records.
Such an arrest is rare, Keylon said.
“It’s not too often we find wanted fugitives from faraway areas on $1 million warrants,” he said.
The Sheriff’s Office received several anonymous e-mails stating that Sarmento was staying at a home in the 3200 block of San Juan-Hollister Road, deputies said. Authorities believe Sarmento has family residing in Hollister.
Six deputies searched the home at 11am Friday, Keylon said.
“We heard noises coming from the attic of the house,” he said.
Det. John Pena noticed insulation hanging from the ceiling of a closet in the home. Upon searching the attic, deputies found Sarmento, deputies said.
Sarmento was taken into custody without incident, Keylon said. Sarmento was taken to the San Benito County Jail where he is being held for Riverside authorities.
If convicted of kidnapping to commit rape, Sarmento could face life in state prison, according to the California Penal Code.
