Shasta County Man Held on $1M Bail in Years-Long Child Abuse Case

Key Takeaways

• Bradley Robert Hewitt, 56, of Shasta Lake was arrested Sunday on multiple child sexual abuse charges.
• Authorities say the alleged abuse of a 13-year-old occurred over several years.
• Deputies responded to a home on La Mesa Court on Saturday night; Hewitt initially left before their arrival.
• Bail was set at $1 million after Major Crimes Unit detectives requested an enhancement.
• Additional charges may be filed by the Shasta County District Attorney's Office.

Investigation began with a Saturday night report

Around 9:20 p.m. Saturday, Shasta County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to the 3800 block of La Mesa Court in Shasta Lake after a reported sexual assault of a child. Investigators learned that 56-year-old Bradley Robert Hewitt was suspected of sexually abusing a 13-year-old juvenile over the span of several years.

Hewitt left the immediate area before deputies arrived and was believed to be somewhere on the property. However, he was not initially located.

Arrest came hours later

After deputies secured an arrest warrant, they received information around 2:08 a.m. Sunday that Hewitt had returned to the residence. Deputies responded immediately and took him into custody.

The Major Crimes Unit assumed responsibility for the case and conducted an additional investigation. Based on the information developed, additional criminal charges will be submitted to the Shasta County District Attorney's Office.

Charges and bail set at $1 million

Hewitt was booked into Shasta County Jail on charges including oral copulation with a victim under 10 years of age, oral copulation with a person under 14 years of age, lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 years of age, and continuous sexual abuse of a child.

Detectives requested a bail enhancement, which was granted. Hewitt's bail is now set at one million dollars.

He is scheduled to appear in Shasta County Superior Court at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday for arraignment.

Local California Context

The case is being handled by the Shasta County Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Unit, which investigates serious felonies across the county. Shasta Lake is a small city north of Redding near Interstate 5. The alleged crimes took place at a residence in a residential area.

Background

Continuous sexual abuse of a child is a felony under California Penal Code 288.5, typically involving a victim under 14 and acts that occur over a period of at least three months. Convictions can carry up to 16 years in state prison.

Conclusion

Hewitt remains in custody while prosecutors review additional charges. Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact the Shasta County Sheriff's Office.

Sources and Materials

• actionnewsnow