San Ardo Man Sentenced to 142 Years to Life After Being Found Guilty of 16 Counts of Child Molestation

SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on Friday, May 19

that the Honorable Jennifer J. O’Keefe sentenced 43-year-old Angel Rojas Lugos of San

Ardo, to 142 years to life in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. On March

15, 2023, a jury found Lugos guilty of two counts of committing oral copulation on a child 10 years

of age or under, and 14 counts of committing forcible lewd or lascivious acts on a child under 14

years of age. All 16 counts are violent felonies and are considered “strikes” under California’s

Three Strikes law. In addition to his prison sentence, Lugos is required to register as a sex offender

for life.

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 get in trouble and that no one would believe her.

At the 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 Office as well as District Attorney Investigator Pablo Andrade. The victim in this case

was assisted by District Attorney Victim Advocate Estella Sanchez.

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Fatal 3 Vehicle Accident Involving Wrong Way Driver on Highway 101 Outside of King City on January 10

A fatal multi-vehicle collision happened on Saturday night, January 10 at 9:51 p.m. on northbound Highway 101 outside of King City. According to the King City CHP a 2016 Toyota Tacoma driven by 65-year-old Paul Lee Cooper of Otis, Oregon was heading the wrong way going southbound in the northbound lanes south of Jolon Road, while a 2006 Toyota Corolla driven by 33-year-old Dinora Maribel Gomez of Salinas was heading northbound on Highway 101 south of Jolon Road in the #1 lane and a Honda Accord driven by 36-year-old Ignacio Sangerman of King City was also traveling northbound on Highway 101 south of Jolon Road but was in the #2 lane. Due to Cooper's level of impairment his vehicle went the wrong way on Highway 101 going directly into the path of Gomez' vehicle causing the rear of her car to crash with the front of the vehicle driven by Sangerman. Cooper was arrested, sustaining major injuries and was transported to Natividad Medical Center in Salinas where as of January 12 is...

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

SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni on December 19 released preliminary information concerning the officer involved shooting (OIS) which occurred at about 1:20 a.m. outside the city of Soledad on December 16, 2025. Just before 1:00 a.m., Monterey County Sheriff’s Deputy Carlos Pina, who has been a peace officer for 10 years all with MCSO, and Deputy Blain Councilman, each in separate patrol cars, were dispatched to 32097 McCoy Road. A resident at the farm labor camp reported a suspicious individual with a handgun whose white Honda 4 door sedan was parked in space 18 at the complex. Before parking there, the suspect drove around and around, stopped in front of the reporting party’s (RP’s) truck, and got out. The RP could hear music. Deputy Pina drove the lead patrol car and arrived just after 1:20 a.m. His dashcam video, which does not record sound but which he installed on his own and at his own expense, depicts the following: He drove down ...

King City City Council Announces Selection of José Arreola as New City Manager

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...

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