Crime & Safety

Santa Cruz Man Accused of Sexually Assaulting Young Girls, Holding Them Against Will

By Bay City News: 

A Santa Cruz man has been arrested on suspicion of forcibly molesting two girls and possessing child pornography, a police spokesman said Monday.

Richard Lester Brode, 67, was booked into jail on suspicion of assault with intent to commit rape, false imprisonment, lewd conduct with a child under 14 and possessing child pornography, Santa Cruz police Deputy Chief Steve Clark said.

Police were alerted on Friday about possible molestation victims, and soon learned of several instances in which Brode allegedly sexually abused two girls under 14 years old, according to Clark.

The girls had been "forcefully held against their will and battered" by the suspect during the abuse, Clark said.

Police are withholding the ages of the victims in order to protect their identities, Clark said.

After serving a search warrant at Brode's home in Santa Cruz, police discovered digital and printed images of child pornography, Clark said.

Officers also took into evidence some hard-cover books containing child pornography, including volumes titled "Child Women" and "Immediate Family," Clark said.

Brode was not related to the two victims, Clark said.

Detectives are investigating whether Brode may have himself taken any of the digital and printed photographs recovered from his home, he said.

Police are investigating whether there are additional victims in the case, and anyone with information is urged to contact the department's investigations unit at (831) 420-5820.

Copyright © 2014 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.


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