Santa Cruz Man, 57, Suspected Of Molesting Children Arrested

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — A 57-year-old man was arrested Sunday morning in Santa Cruz on suspicion of sexual offenses against children, police and prosecutors said Monday. James Kohut was arrested Sunday on suspicion of committing a lewd act upon a minor under age 10; committing a lewd act upon a child under 14; and committing a forcible lewd act upon a child under the age of 14, according to Steven Moore, a county deputy district attorney.

Kohut was booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail and is being held without bail, Moore said. The alleged crimes occurred in Santa Cruz County, Moore said.

"We anticipate making a decision about filing (charges) by tomorrow and we anticipate if there are charges filed (Kohut) will be arraigned on Wednesday," Moore said.

Three people have been arrested in connection with the case, which Watsonville police called "a serious sexual assault case which crossed state lines."

The FBI, the District Attorney's office and the regional Internet Crimes Against Children task force are assisting in the investigation, Watsonville police said. Anyone with further information about the case is asked to contact the Watsonville Police Department Investigation Division at (831) 768-3350 or
the Crime Tip Line at (831) 768-3544.

By Bay City News

Photo via Shutterstock