Atwater man arrested in sex-crimes investigation

A 22-year-old Atwater man has been jailed, accused of molesting a 15-year-old female relative and threatening the alleged victim’s sister if she did not allow the abuse to continue, Atwater police officers reported Monday.

Robert M. Estrada was booked Friday night into the Merced County Jail on suspicion sexual battery while restrained, assault by force, false imprisonment and witness intimidation, all felonies, along with a misdemeanor allegation of resisting arrest, according to booking records.

Estrada was under investigation for allegedly molesting the teenage family member and making criminal threats against the alleged victim’s sister “if she did not comply with allowing him to inappropriately touch her or for the victim to touch him,” Lt. Samuel Joseph told the Sun-Star.

While investigating the allegations, Atwater police learned Estrada was wanted on an unrelated felony warrant charging him with assault with a deadly weapon, police said.

Details of the prior assault case were not available Monday.

Officers went to a home on Acacia Court to make the arrest and Estrada tried to barricade himself inside.

“Officers were able to make entry into the residence, where the suspect refused to comply with the officers and physically fought the officers,” Joseph said. “The officers were eventually able to secure the suspect without further incident.”

Estrada is scheduled to appear Wednesday in Merced County Superior Court on the warrant, according to court records.

He remained in custody Monday on more than $150,000 bail, according to booking records.

This story was originally published April 11, 2016 at 6:33 PM with the headline "Atwater man arrested in sex-crimes investigation."