Missing Fresno Teen Found in Santa Cruz County Hotel; Man Arrested on Child Sex Charges

A 24-year-old man has been arrested after police found him in a Santa Cruz County hotel room with a missing 15-year-old girl from Fresno, and detectives are now searching for additional potential victims. The Watsonville Police Department reported that Darwin Linares was located on March 18 at a hotel on Airport Boulevard in the city of Watsonville, along with the teenager who had been reported missing from Fresno.

Linares was taken into custody on charges of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. Following the arrest, investigators discovered communications between Linares and dozens of other underage girls across multiple states.

Evidence indicates that Linares used various social media platforms and applications to contact underage girls, often employing different names and ages, for sexual purposes. Authorities are now seeking the public's help to identify any other possible victims.

Anyone with information or who may have been a victim of Linares is urged to contact Detective Ambriz at 831-768-3358.