Full Notification

DATE/TIME: June 29, 2018 / 4:15 AM

INCIDENT: Kidnapping, Rape, Elder Abuse

LOCATION: Confidential / Hesperia

SUSPECT: Howard Jenks, 40 years old, County Area of Hesperia

VICTIM: Confidential, 69 year old female


SUMMARY:
On June 29, 2018 at about 4:15 AM, Deputies from the Hesperia Station responded to a reported rape incident that had just occurred. Deputies arrived on scene and located the victim, a 69 year old female who was suffering from injuries associated with a sexual assault and other serious blunt force trauma injuries. Medical personnel were immediately summoned to the location and the victim was transported by ambulance to the hospital for advanced treatment. It was determined that the suspect gained entry into the residence and contacted the victim in her bedroom while she slept, where he violently attacked her for a period of time before fleeing the scene.

Detectives responded and with evidence recovered at the scene, Jenks was identified as the suspect in the attack. It was determined that Jenks was an associate of a family member of the victims and he was familiar with the residence and victim. A $575,000.00 arrest warrant was obtained for Jenks related to the attack. With the assistance of the Sheriff's Specialized Enforcement Division and Sheriff's Aviation, Jenks was located at a small trailer encampment in a remote, unincorporated area of south Hesperia near Summit Valley Road. Jenks was taken into custody without incident and later booked at the High Desert Detention Center for Kidnapping, Rape and Elder Abuse charges. Search warrants were served at Jenks remote encampment and on a vehicle, where additional evidence believed to be related to the case was recovered.

The victim was treated for her injuries and is expected to recover. Detectives are continuing the investigation to determine if there may be other victims of similar incidents involving the suspect, but at this time it is believed to be an isolated incident.

Detectives learned Howard Jenks is on three-year supervised probation for Felon in Possession of a Firearm as a result of California Assembly Bill 109.
As part of Governor Jerry Brown’s Realignment Plan, or Assembly Bill 109, offenders with non-violent, non-sexual and non-serious convictions will serve reduced sentences in county jails and place some offenders on local supervision through county Probation as California complies with a U.S. Supreme Court decision requiring the state to lower its prison population.

Refer: Doug Hubbard, Sergeant

Station: Hesperia

Phone No.(760) 947-1500

Case No. 191805116

JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department