Santa Barbara, Calif.  – On February 3, 2020, Sheriff’s Deputies received a report of suspicious activity occurring between an adult and teen-aged juveniles. Sheriff’s Detectives followed-up on the initial report and identified a male suspect who had befriended high school aged children. He allegedly invited the juveniles into his residence in the unincorporated area of Santa Barbara and furnished them with alcohol and marijuana. The investigation revealed that on at least two occasions, the juvenile victims had become intoxicated and were sexually assaulted. These assaults occurred on separate occasions in late 2019.

Through their investigation, detectives have identified two juvenile victims and one suspect, 49-year-old Louie “Vincent” Peteque Jr. of Santa Barbara. Peteque was booked at the Sheriff’s Main Jail this morning for lewd and lascivious acts with a child (felony), sexual battery (felony), and willful cruelty to a child (misdemeanor). He is being held on $50,000 bail.

This investigation is ongoing and we are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying additional victims and witnesses. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Nuñez by phone at (805)681-4150 or by e-mail at aan4208@sbsheriff.org. You can also leave an anonymous tip by calling (805)681-4171 or visiting our website.