KMPH Fox 26 Central San Joaquin Valley News Source in Fresno, California Entertainment, News, Sports and Weather | Kettleman City Man Arrested; Faces 23 Sex Crime Charges

Kettleman City Man Arrested; Faces 23 Sex Crime Charges

By Clint Olivier

HANFORD - Kings County Sheriff's Detectives arrested 40 year old Salvador Garcia of Kettleman City.

Investigators say he's a child predator, and he's been sexually abusing kids for at least 10 years.

Garcia was arrested Sunday and is being held at the Kings County Jail.

"We really want to protect the people who are the victims and witnesses in this case," Detective Shawn McRae said.

McRae won't say exactly how many children may have been harmed by Garcia, but he confirms there are more than two victims.

Garcia faces a laundry list of charges: 15 counts of lewd acts on a child, 3 counts of lewd acts using force and fear, 3 counts of rape with force and fear and 2 counts of spousal rape.

McRae says the case came to light when a victim told a counselor and a deputy about the abuse.

"Based on going over all the interviews and stuff, the things he's done are really terrible," he said.

"A child will not be typically direct or forthcoming about something that has happened to him or her," Dr. Jay Pope said.

Dr. Pope is a clinical psychologist at Fresno Pacific University.

He says instead, an abused child will put up red flags that parents need to recognize to determine if he or she has been harmed, and needs help.

"The warning signs are going to be: sudden changes in a child's mood, in a child's appetite. They may become very sensitive about their bodies, they might become very secretive and withdrawn," he said.