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Monday, Jul. 27, 2009

Winton woman shoots at men trying to intimidate her

Her daughter was allegedly molested by Livingston man.

Merced County sheriff's investigators say they're on the lookout after the family of an alleged molestation victim received a series of threats from the suspect's supporters.

Deputies say gunmen also showed up at the victim's home in Winton, prompting the girl's 35-year-old mother to open fire on the men with her own gun.

The incident was reported around 9 a.m. Saturday.

The mother of the alleged victim was outside her home, when two Latino men in their early 20s arrived at her home, according to Deputy Tom MacKenzie, sheriff's spokesman. The woman said the men tried to persuade her to drop charges against 26-year-old Herminio Martinez of Livingston. Martinez is accused of molesting the mother's 12-year-old daughter, MacKenzie said.

The men also brandished guns, the woman told sheriff's investigators.

The visit by the men, however, was only the most recent among several threats that have been made to the girl's family, MacKenzie said.

The mother, who was also armed, then shot at the two men, who fled on-foot. After, the woman called sheriff's deputies, MacKenzie said. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the men. MacKenzie said it's unknown whether the woman injured one of the men during the shooting.

MacKenzie said the woman is not facing charges. He added that deputies have also stepped up their patrols in the neighborhood where the woman lives. "We will prosecute (the suspects) if we catch them," MacKenzie said.

Martinez was arrested in Atwater last week after the girl, who was missing for a few hours on July 19, returned home and said she'd been with the suspect, according to Deputy Tom MacKenzie.

The girl described Martinez as her "boyfriend," MacKenzie said. Her family reported the alleged crime the following day.

Sheriff's detectives busted Martinez after he was under the impression that he'd be meeting the girl at her aunt's home, MacKenzie said. After he arrived at the house, however, he was taken into custody by detectives.

Investigators believe Martinez was having sex with the girl for the past few months, possibly since she was 11 years old. He was booked on suspicion of child molestation and remains at the John Latorraca Correctional Center without bail.

The two suspects who arrived at the family's home are in their early 20s, one with a shaved head, and wearing a red or white checkered shirt. The other suspect had black hair, wearing a black T-shirt, MacKenzie said.

Deputies are asking anyone with information about the case to call (209) 385-7445. Callers can remain anonymous.

Reporter Victor A. Patton can be reached at (209) 385-2431 or vpatton@mercedsun-star.com.