Gonzales Man Sentenced to 34 Years in Prison for Child Molestation

SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on January 22 that on January 20, 2026, Judge Carrie Panetta sentenced 30-year-old Jose Christian Montenegro of Gonzales, to 34 years in prison for committing 4 counts of forcible lewd acts upon a child under 14 and one lewd act on a child under the age of 14. These offenses are serious and violent felonies and considered strikes under California’s Three Strikes law. Montenegro will also be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

Jane Doe 1 reported that Montenegro, a family member, had been sexually assaulting her for many

years. Jane Doe 1 reported that Montenegro began touching her intimate areas when she was 6 or

7 years old. Montenegro would touch her both over and under her clothing numerous times a

week. The touching continued until Jane Doe 1 reported the abuse when she was 13 years old.

Jane Doe 1’s brave disclosure to law enforcement resulted in Jane Doe 2 reporting that Montenegro

had sexually assaulted her as well. Jane Doe 2 reported that Montenegro touched her one time under

her clothing when she was 9 years old. According to research into sexual assault victim behavior,

it is very common for victims to delay reporting the sexual abuse, especially when the victim is a

minor and has a close relationship with the perpetrator.

The case was investigated by Monterey County Sheriff Deputy Brandon Reed as well as other

Monterey County Sheriff Deputies. The Jane Does were assisted by the District Attorney’s Office

Victim Advocates Alma Sanchez and Mayra Sandoval. Court Facility Support Dog, Armani,

provided the Jane Does with much needed support during the criminal process.

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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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