Update: Man sentenced for child abuse, rape, human trafficking
Update posted Jan. 7
–On Tuesday, Richard Brooks, 40, was sentenced to 61 years 8 months to life in prison for human trafficking of a minor by using force or fear and additional sex crimes that include rape, sodomy, pimping, and oral copulation against the same under age victim.
This sentencing means that Brooks will have to serve the full 61 years 8 months before being considered for probation, according to Assistant District Attorney Lee Cunningham.
This case was investigated by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office and the prosecution team was led by Deputy District Attorney Greg Devitt.
Update posted Nov. 23
Richard Brooks
–On Friday, a San Luis Obispo County Jury found Richard Scott Brooks, 40, a transient from San Francisco, guilty of human trafficking of a minor by using force or fear and also found Brooks guilty of eighteen additional sex crimes that include rape, sodomy, pimping, and oral copulation against the same under age victim.
Deputy District Attorney Greg Devitt stated, “We are very pleased and thankful for the hard work the jury did in holding the defendant accountable for what he did to the minor victim. The jury obviously found the victim credible and these verdicts will hopefully bring her comfort as she heals from this very traumatic event.” Following the reading of the verdicts, District Attorney Dan Dow said, “Ultimately, justice was served today. These verdicts send a strong message that commercial sexual exploitation of minors will not go unpunished in our community.”
Human trafficking of a minor by using force or fear requires a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years to life in state prison. Brooks faces a maximum sentence of 63 years to life due to the additional eighteen counts he was convicted of. This case was investigated by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office and the prosecution team was led by Deputy District Attorney Greg Devitt.
Brooks is held without bail and is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 29.
Update Sept. 3, 2014
Based on information discovered through the course of their investigation, detectives with the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office arrested a second suspect in connection with a recent case involving a child abuse victim.
On Tuesday, detectives arrested 38-year-old Richard Scott Brooks of San Francisco. He was booked into San Luis Obispo County Jail on three counts of rape by force or fear. On 8-28-14, Detectives arrested 38-year-old Oscar Higueros, Jr., of Cayucos on child abuse charges involving the same minor under the age of 18.
Higueros was booked into county jail, also on three counts of rape by force or fear. This case remains active and on-going.
The Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in determining if there are other victims associated with this case. If anyone feels like they have been victimized by these two men, they are asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (805) 781-4500.
Cayucos fire captain arrested for child abuse, rape
Oscar Higueros
Original report: On Aug. 25, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office received a report of child abuse involving a minor under the age of 18. Deputies and detectives initiated an investigation into the incident which had occurred the month prior.
A suspect was identified as 38-year-old Oscar Higueros, Jr., of Cayucos. Higueros is a paid volunteer firefighter, a captain, with the Cayucos Fire Department. Last Thursday, a search warrant was served at his residence on Pacific Ave. in Cayucos where the alleged incident took place.
Higueros was arrested and booked into County Jail on three counts of rape by force or fear and sodomy involving a minor. Because the investigation is active and on-going, no further details are being released at this time, according to sheriff’s spokesman Tony Cippola.
Higueros is being held in jail in lieu of a $1 million bond.
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