Local News in Brief : Man With AIDS Arrested
A man suffering from an advanced case of AIDS has been arrested in Los Angeles on a Ventura County warrant that alleges he sexually molested a 6-year-old boy, authorities said Tuesday.
Jerardo Martinez, 31, of Port Hueneme was arrested in Los Angeles sometime over the weekend, Ventura County Deputy Dist. Atty. Kevin McGee said Tuesday.
“It looks like he is in custody here at the Los Angeles County Jail,” said Deputy Eric Smith, a Sheriff’s Department spokesman.
An arrest warrant filed in Ventura charged Martinez with one count each of sodomy, child molestation and assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury, Ventura County Dist. Atty. Michael D. Bradbury said.
McGee said that arresting Martinez was a priority because there was “a potential for some real dangerous conduct” as long as he remained at large.
Martinez apparently fled to Los Angeles as the investigation broadened.
Prosecutors are also considering filing additional charges, including attempted murder, in the case of the 6-year-old victim, whose name is being withheld, McGee said.
“We’re going to look at the whole range of charges as they apply,” McGee said.
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