Peninsula Man Charged With Lewd Acts With Child: Sheriff

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — A Peninsula man was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old child who he was babysitting on three different occasions.

Michael Banister, 35, was accused of committing lewd acts against a child who was described as a family friend, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.

The incidents occurred near Banister’s home in El Granada, according to the sheriff’s office, which initiated an investigation in early August.

Banister recently moved to El Granada within the past two years from Oregon, where he has a “lengthy criminal history,” the sheriff’s office said.

Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to contact Detective J. Fava at 650-363- 4192 or email jfava@smcgov.org.