Kern River Valley Sexual Assault Investigation

This is a news release of the Kern County Sheriff's Office.
Please do not contact the Sheriff's Communications Center.

Date:  Monday, November 02, 2009
Time:  10:27:20 AM
Department Contact: Dean Marshall

Details:
The Kern County Sheriff’s Office, Kern Valley Substation, is currently investigating a sexual assault that occurred approximately two weeks ago. This investigation is ongoing and has been assigned to Sr. Deputy Scott Lopez. Over the past several days, rumors of a serial rapist have been circulating on social networking websites. These rumors are being generated by the public and are being spread throughout the Kern River Valley and elsewhere. Furthermore, there is a photograph that has been posted identifying a suspected rapist. At this point in our investigation, a suspect has not been determined. The Sheriff’s Office has not yet determined where the posted picture came from or the identity of the pictured subject.

An additional rumor surfaced stating a young female was sexually assaulted, stabbed and her body dumped into the Borel Canal. The Kern County Sheriff’s Office has investigated and found nothing to substantiate this rumor.

If anyone has information regarding this ongoing sexual assault investigation, they are urged to call Sr. Deputy Scott Lopez at 760-549-2100.