Full Notification

This is the followup press release to yesterday’s preliminary information about a sexual assault and attempted abduction of two students at Altimira Middle School.

On January 7 at approximately 7:56 AM, we received a call from Altimira Middle School that a student was kidnapped and assaulted while she was walking to school that morning.  Deputies and detectives responded right away.  While they were investigating the call, dispatch received a call from a second victim at approximately 8:29 AM who said a man had just tried to kidnap her.  The suspect was later identified as Jesse Leon Granado-Lopez, 49 years old, of Sonoma.

The first victim, a 14 year old, was walking to school when Granado-Lopez allegedly grabbed her at knifepoint at the intersection of El Dorado Drive and Railroad Avenue, Sonoma.  She fought back, but he allegedly forced her into his car, drove her to another location, and sexually assaulted her in the car.  He then allegedly drove her to a different location and let her go.

The second victim was walking to school when Granado-Lopez allegedly approached her on foot and tried to grab her at the same intersection of El Dorado Drive and Railroad Avenue. His car was parked nearby. She fought and was able to get away and call 911.

Both victims gave similar descriptions of the suspect and his car, leading deputies and detectives to believe the same person committed both crimes.  Every available deputy in the area and the entire Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Unit responded to search for Granado-Lopez and his light brown passenger car. They found him at approximately 9:45 AM. They were able to find him so quickly because of the victims’ cooperation, a rapid response by many deputies, video surveillance of the car, and diligent investigative work.

They arrested Granado-Lopez without incident. He was first medically cleared, then interviewed and booked into the main jail.  He was booked on the following six felony charges and is being held without bail: lewd and lascivious acts with a minor using force, kidnapping with the intent to commit rape, oral copulation with a minor using force, sexual penetration of an object with a minor, rape, and attempted kidnapping.

This is extremely traumatic for the victims. They both did the right thing by telling authorities right away and we are grateful for their cooperation.  We ask everyone to respect their privacy. If you know them, please support them however you can.  We also appreciate the cooperation and swift action by school staff.
 
Media Inquiries: 707-565-3941
Case no: 200107-009
Prepared by: Misti D. Wood, Community Engagement Liaison