Suspected Child Predator Arrested In Santa Cruz: Police

SANTA CRUZ, CA — The Santa Cruz Police Department arrested Victor Calderon Rosales, 36, on suspicion of soliciting a minor for sex through Instagram, the department said Monday.

Calderon is in custody at the Santa Cruz County Main Jail for multiple suspected charges of soliciting a minor for sex, the department said.

Police are looking for additional victims and anyone who has had contact with Calderon or the Instagram handle @raulrochasancho.

The department’s investigations unit found out about the Instagram account on March 14, the department said. They said it was used to reach out to underage female middle school students in an attempt to meet up and have sex.

Police then saw Calderon attempting to lure a 14-year-old middle school student to a location with the intent of sexual activity, the department said. On March 24, detectives stopped Calderon at the meet-up spot.

Police said they discovered several other underage female victims who identified Calderon and said he reached out to underage girls with sexual intent. They also believe he may have met with and engaged in sexual acts with teenage girls previously, the department said.

Anyone who may be a victim or knows someone who may have met with Calderon or was contacted on Instagram can contact the Santa Cruz Police Department School Resource Officer Elliott Rock at 831-420-5835 or by email at Erock@cityofsantacruz.com.

Anonymous tips can be called at 831-420-5995 or at this link.

“Santa Cruz Police encourages parents to speak to their teens about appropriate social media
Use,” the department said. “Remind them their social media safety is directly related to the personal information they share. Set privacy settings, advise them to be selective about friend requests, teach them never to agree to meet anyone they met online, review their social media periodically, and remind them that ‘what goes on the internet, stays on the internet.'”