SOLEDAD — A 52-year-old Soledad man was arrested last Tuesday following an investigation into allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct involving an 8-year-old girl, according to the Soledad Police Department.
Police were notified July 19 of an incident in which the girl reported that an adult male had engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct in her presence.
Following multiple investigative follow-ups, officers identified the suspect as Jeronimo Macias Rodriguez, a Soledad resident. Investigators also learned Rodriguez may have had access to or contact with other female juveniles, police said.
Officers located Rodriguez near his residence in the 500 block of Front Street at about 6:49 p.m. on Aug. 11 and arrested him.
Rodriguez was booked into the Monterey County Jail and charged with lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14, immoral acts before a child, indecent exposure, annoying or molesting a victim under 18, and soliciting a lewd act in public, according to jail records.
Because of concerns that Rodriguez may have had contact with other juveniles, police are asking anyone who may have had a similar experience or has concerns about someone they know to come forward.
Information can be shared anonymously through WeTip at 1-800-782-7463 or by contacting the Soledad Police Department at 831-223-5120.
The department’s victim assistance advocate has also assisted the girl and her family with support, services and resources.
