|
|
|
Sex Offender Arrested After Allegedly Seen Near Catholic School |
|
|
|
By Rob Kuznia
|
|
Thursday, May 31 2007 |
A registered sex offender was arrested Wednesday after Sheriff's deputies learned that he allegedly had been seen near St. Raphael’s Elementary School in Goleta earlier this month, authorities said.
 Manuel Jimenez
This information was distributed widely on Wednesday to the media through a press release from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department, which credited the arrest to a state grant they received that allows it to assign personnel and equipment to better track the whereabouts and activities of registered sex offenders.
The so-named Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE) grant dries up at the end of 2007. Typically, registered sex offenders who have molested children are prohibited from coming near areas where children are either attending school or pre-school, according to the California Penal Code.
However, sheriff's authorities did not provide any information regarding the original conviction of Jimenez that led to his having to register as a sex offender.
State law requires individuals convicted of sex crimes, ranging from sex with a minor to child molestation and rape, to register as sex offenders.
On May 2, deputies responded to a call about a suspicious subject seen in the area of St. Raphael’s School at 160 St. Joseph’s Street, near the intersection of Hollister and Highway 217. At that time, they contacted Jimenez, interviewed him and let him go -- unaware he was registered as a sex offender, authorities said.
“During follow up to the contact, detectives learned that Jimenez was a registered sex offender,” Sgt. Raney said in a statement. “Further investigation revealed that he had been seen on a previous occasion on the St. Raphael campus.” |
|
|
