SANTA BARBARA-AREA MAN FACING SEX CRIME CHARGES INVOLVING ELDERLY RESIDENTS, OFFICIALS SAY

Josephine Rodriguez ABOUT SEX OFFENDERS AND OTHERS, GOOD POLICING CATCHES SEX OFFENDERS AND OTHERS, NURSING HOME EMPLOYEES, SEX OFFENDERS AND OTHERS APPREHENDED, SEX OFFENDERS AND OTHERS IN POSITIONS OF TRUST, SEX OFFENDERS AND OTHERS WHO REOFFEND, WORST OF THE WORST

January 21, 2021
KSBY

A Santa Barbara-area man was arrested this week on suspicion of sex crimes investigators say targeted elderly victims at care homes in the area.

The investigation began on Jan. 5 of this year when the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office says detectives began looking into allegations of abuse at a care home in Goleta between 2013 and 2020.

During the investigation, investigators say they learned an additional offense may have also happened in Santa Barbara.

“Through their coordinated investigations, Sheriff’s and Police Detectives learned that 32-year-old Jared Ekola of Santa Barbara targeted two vulnerable patients at the care home where he was employed in Goleta and another victim at a care home in Santa Barbara,” according to a news release. “Ekola allegedly engaged in sex acts with the victims who were unable to consent, protect themselves, or report the abuse due to their physical and mental status.”

Search and arrest warrants were served at Ekola’s home Wednesday evening in the unincorporated area of Santa Barbara, according to sheriff’s officials, who say he was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail and is being held without bail.

He reportedly faces felony charges including elder abuse, rape and other unlawful sexual acts.

The investigation is ongoing.

https://www.ksby.com/news/local-news/santa-barbara-area-man-facing-sex-crime-charges-crimes-targeted-elderly-residents-in-care-homes-officials-say

Message from Executive Director Laura A. Ahearn: Please visit our website at www.crimevictimscenter.org for news, information and resources in your community.

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