17-year-old City of Watsonville employee arrested on sexual battery charges

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KION) A 17-year-old City of Watsonville employee has been arrested on sexual battery charges, according to Watsonville police.

The suspect was booked into Juvenile Hall for the alleged sexual battery and false imprisonment of at least two teenage girls in 2017, before he worked for the city.

Police said the suspect was hired as a Recreation Leader for the Watsonville Police Activities League in late 2019 and was a member of the Watsonville Police Cadet Program.

In early June, police said detectives began investigating social media accusations, but they did not know who the victims were. By June 19, police said they identified one of the victims when they got a cross report from the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office. The second victim was identified during the investigation.

Police believe there may be more victims, and anyone with information is asked to call Det. Rudy Lopez at 831-768-3357.