Man arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting child with special needs

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) A man is behind bars on suspicion of sexually assaulting a child with special needs and violating his parole.

On Wednesday at around 6:15 p.m., the 9-year-old victim was having dinner with his family in the 900 block of South Main Street. He usually does not go to the bathroom alone, but police said he asked his mother if he could go by himself.

The child's mother agreed because it was a short distance away, but when he got back, he told his parents he had been sexually assaulted.

Police said the suspect, 40-year-old James Torfason left and went to his vehicle, but the child's father followed him and called 911.

Officers stopped Torfason and arrested him. He was also found to be on parole for a previous sexual assault of a juvenile. He is booked in the Monterey County Jail.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. John McNeil at 831-758-7277 or johnmc@ci.salinas.ca.us.