KMPH Fox 26 Central San Joaquin Valley News Source in Fresno, California Entertainment, News, Sports and Weather | Fresno County Sheriff Acts on Internet Crime Trend
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By Norma Yuriar
Fresno, Calif. (KMPH News) - A teenager's online experience turns into sexual assault investigation. The Fresno County Sheriff's Department arrested 20-year old Luis Bernabe for having a sexual relationship with a 13-year old girl from Kettleman City. Investigators say the girl ran away from home on Monday, a day later they found her inside a home on North Valentine Avenue in Fresno with the man she met online.
"They basically met on MySpace, corresponded with each other and he came down to Kings County to pick her up," said Sgt. George Bertsch with the Fresno County Sheriff's Department.
Investigators say Bernabe drove the girl to his house and sexually assaulted her. Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims says the MySpace connection to crimes has become a trend in the valley.
"We've had a disturbing increase in crimes that start off with young people being involved in the internet sites of social networking," said Sheriff Mims.
Over the weekend, 20-year old Marcos Hernandez was shot and killed during a party investigators say was organized on MySpace. Hundreds attended the gathering at an abandoned barn in Fresno County. Sheriff Mims says there was no control over who was going to show up at the party including gang members.
"At this particular party the admission was charged to the young men but the girls got in free if they were wearing lingerie and short skirts," said Sheriff Mims.
Many of the parents investigators are now speaking with had no idea their kids were at the gathering. The Sheriff is urging parents to be aware of the people their kids are talking to online or texting. She says it's never too early to begin the conversation.
"Sixty seven percent of pre-schoolers have used the internet," said Mims.
Investigator say minors should never post their personal information online. The Fresno County Sheriff's Department has set up a website to help parents and children identify the difference with a 'friend' and a 'predator.'
To learn more go to: http://www.fresnoicac.org .
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