San Ardo Man Found Guilty of 16 Count of Child Molestation

SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on March 20

that on March 15, 43-year-old Angel Rojas Lugos of San Ardo, was found guilty by

a Monterey County jury of 2 counts of oral copulation on a child 10 years old or under, and 14

counts of forcible lewd or lascivious acts on a child under 14 years of age. All 16 of the charges are

violent felonies and are considered “strikes” under California’s Three Strikes law. The Honorable

Jennifer J. O’Keefe presided over the trial.

Jane Doe reported that Angel Lugos, a family member, molested her many times over a 2 year

period. Jane Doe was under 10 years old at the time the molestation began. Jane Doe stated she

waited to report the molestation because she was afraid she would be get in trouble and that she

would not be believed.

At trial, Jane Doe bravely testified about the repeated instances of molestation that occurred. An

expert in the psychological effects of child sexual abuse also testified that delayed disclosures of

molestation are incredibly common due to numerous factors including: the power imbalance

between the perpetrator and victim, threats to not say anything, fear, and even affection for a

perpetrator if he/she is a close family member, friend, or authority figure.

The case was investigated by Detective Rosy Silva and other deputies from the Monterey County

Sheriff’s Department and District Attorney Investigator Pablo Andrade. The victim in this case was

assisted by District Attorney Victim Advocate Estella Sanchez.

The Honorable Jennifer J. O’Keefe will sentence Lugos on April 27, 2023. He faces a maximum of

170 years to life in prison and will be required to register as a sex offender for life.

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Monterey County DA Releases Preliminary Information Concerning an Officer Involved Shooting Incident that Occurred Outside of Soledad on December 16

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January 7, 2025-Following an extensive recruitment process, José Arreola has been selected by the King City City Council to be its next City Manager. Arreola will replace Steve Adams, who is retiring after serving in the position for the past 10 years. Arreola was selected from 31 applicants and 8 finalists for the position. The King City City Council will formally consider the proposed city manager contract at its meeting on Tuesday night, January 13. Arreola's first day on the job is scheduled to be February 23. José Arreola has a distinguished career of serving the community with a particular commitment to youth. He has worked for the City of Salinas for 12 years as their Community Safety Program Manager, Community Safety Administrator and Assistant to the City Manager. Among other responsibilities, Arreola has led several programs to eliminate gang violence which aligns well with the City of King’s efforts and priorities. Prior to that, Arreola worked as an Educa...

King City CHP is searching for person of interest who fled the scene of a fatal crash in Greenfield

On Monday, September 16 at approximately 3:50 pm, a fatal traffic collision occurred on Metz Road south of Elm Avenue in Greenfield. The driver who caused the collision fled on foot and is currently outstanding. The California Highway Patrol King City Area is currently seeking the whereabouts of 31-year-old Agustin Santana-Moncada of King City who has been identified as a person of interest in the case. The King City Area is requesting assistance from the public in locating Santana-Moncada. Anyone with information is asked to contact the King City Area office at (831) 385-3216.

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