Shawn Michael Cox
SANTA CRUZ — 20-year-old Shawn Michael Cox has been arrested after an investigation into a criminal complaint of statutory rape of a 14-year-old girl. The two had allegedly met online and had an ongoing relationship.
Cox and the girl met via social media and began a consensual sexual relationship over a two-week period. That was, until a family member found out and told the girl’s parents.
Both the girl and her family informed law enforcement. It was further alleged that Cox was aware of the girl’s age — she was in middle-school when the relationship began — and detectives used a ruse to set up a meeting with Cox on April 6th.
He arrived and police arrested him for several felony crimes. Due to the victim’s age, detectives followed up out of concern that there may be other victims.
One additional victim — also a juvenile female — was discovered. Police believe there are more.
Cox was booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail on charges of sexual intercourse with a minor, oral copulation with a minor, digital penetration with a minor, and sodomy.
