September 6, 2007
Press Release

Man Jailed on Sex Charges Against Kids  

A 41-year-old Hispanic male was arrested at the Goodwill Store on Route 221, Saturday evening following reports he allegedly fondled two females.

Santos Guzman has been charged with two counts of aggravated sexual battery, Bedford County Sheriff Mike Brown said. The two 8-year-old females reported Guzman’s behavior and Goodwill employees also reported seeing Guzman “acting fishy,” Brown said.

Following Guzman’s arrest the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the Department of Homeland Security. Guzman, who is being held without bond in the Blue Ridge Regional Jail, is believed to be an illegal alien.

“Right now he is on the radar screen for Homeland Security. They called us,” Brown said. “He’s being held.”

Brown said the case must now go through the commonwealth’s attorney’s office, before Guzman could be deported. “We’ll talk with commonwealth attorney on Tuesday and see how he wants to handle it,” Brown said.

Guzman was leaving the Goodwill Store when Chief Gary Reynolds, who is the supervisor of the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office Child-Sexual Offender Registration and Tracking Unit, apprehended him. “He was getting out of there,” Brown said. “We were so fortunate Chief Reynolds was so close and off duty.”

Brown said if anyone else has come in contact with Guzman or has any information to reach Investigator Wendy Finch at (540) 586-4800.

Story courtesy of The News & Advance, Lynchburg, VA
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