Accused Snapchat Predator Arrested On The Peninsula

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — A Pleasanton man is accused of multiple sex crimes after Peninsula authorities allege he had hundreds of inappropriate conversations with underage girls and met up with many in person.

According to the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, detectives launched an investigation in July after a teen girl said she was victimized by a man she did not know. Detectives used social media, automated license plate readers and other technology to identify a suspect, who the sheriff's office named Tuesday as 19-year-old William V. Coultrip of Pleasanton.

"The investigation revealed Coultrip used social media applications such as Snapchat to engage in hundreds of inappropriate conversations with underage girls," a sheriff's news release announcing the arrest said.

The sheriff's department said the Pleasanton man would use fake names, including "John Kelly" and "Josh Foire."

"Coultrip would often drive to the victims or request they take public transportation to meet him in-person," the news release said, adding that many conversations included exchanging images classified as child sex abuse material.

San Mateo County detectives worked with the Pleasanton Police Department to arrest Coultrip on Thursday. He was ultimately arrested on suspicion of sexual penetration with a victim under 18, assault with intent to commit a felony, arranging to meet with a minor for lewd purposes, contacting a minor for sexual purposes and sending "harmful matter" to a minor.

As of Tuesday, jail booking records showed that Coultrip was being held at the Redwood City jail without bail.

According to the sheriff's office, detectives believe there may be more victims that have yet to come forward and ask anyone who recognizes Coultrip to contact investigators at 650-363-4060.