Santa Barbara, Calif. – A 60-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of lewd acts with a child stemming from a 2019 investigation. An investigation into Gonzalo Gutierrez Cuevas, of Goleta, began in January of 2019. Gutierrez Cuevas fled the country after learning of the accusations.

Deputies received a report of Gutierrez Cuevas in 2019 indicating he had engaged in lewd acts with children in an apartment complex of the 5800 block of Nectarine Avenue. Gutierrez Cuevas was the Apartment Maintenance Technician for the apartments.

The Santa Barbara District Attorney’s Office, US Marshals and Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office worked hand-in-hand to find, detain and extradite Gutierrez Cuevas.  On January 25, 2024, Gutierrez Cuevas was surrendered by Mexico and landed in the Unites States late Thursday evening. Gutierrez Cuevas faces eight counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor that were filed previously by the Santa Barbara District Attorney’s Office.

Anyone with additional information or knowledge of other crimes, is encouraged to come forward with information and contact Detective Sosa at 805-681-4150.