WATSONVILLE, CA — “A registered sex offender accused of following and groping a teenage girl is now behind bars.
Officers arrested Kenneth Wilder, 31, in connection to the Tuesday morning incident. A 17-year-old girl reported that she was followed and inappropriately touched before the suspect fled the area. Within a matter of hours, our Detectives identified him as the suspect and tracked him down to the 400 block of Rodriguez Street, where he was arrested. We believe the suspect was attempting to sexually assault the victim.
Wilder is a registered sex offender, on parole, and has a history of similar offenses. The 31-year-old was booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail and is facing felony charges of assault with intent to commit rape, sexual battery, stalking, violation of parole and violation of probation.
If you believe you may have been a victim or have any additional information related to this case, please contact Detective Collin Travers at 831-768-3321.
