Merced police arrest man for alleged sexual abuse of a child. He’s being held without bail
A Merced man has been arrested and is being held without bail for the alleged sexual abuse of a child under 10-years-old, according to a news release by the Merced Police Department.
Martin Villalobos, 34, of Merced was identified as the suspect in the ongoing assault of a child after a caller contacted Merced police about the abuse on Oct. 23.
Villalobos fled from police at the scene but was detained by responding officers at about 10:15 p.m. in the area of V and 15th streets soon after the incident was reported, Det.-Sgt. Kalvin Haygood told the Sun-Star.
The ensuing investigation of the alleged abuse was assisted by Merced detectives. That investigation discovered that the sexual abuse by Villalobos toward the unnamed victim was ongoing in nature, the release said.
Merced officers arrested Villalobos for multiple charges including continuous sexual acts with a child under 14, oral copulation with a child 10-years-old or younger and sexual intercourse with a child 10-years-old or younger.
Villalobos was booked into the Merced County Jail and remains in custody without bail.
Merced police have not determined at this time whether there are additional victims who were abused by Villalobos, the release said.
The Merced Police Department is asking anyone with information concerning the alleged abuse by Villalobos to contact Detective Alicia Gorman at 209-388-7715 or by email at gomana@cityofmerced.org.
