The Turlock Police Department’s ongoing effort to catch child predators through the use of social media has netted two more arrests, the police department announced on Tuesday.
On April 9, detectives and the Turlock Special Investigations Unit, arrested Manmeet Sarang, 36, of Fremont, after he traveled to Turlock in hopes of meeting and engaging in sexual activity with a 13-year-old decoy.
Detectives, who posed as a 13-year-old girl, began communicating with Sarang on various mobile applications and online. Sarang arranged to meet who he thought was a 13-year-old girl in Turlock on April, 9. As Sarang approached the location, law enforcement personnel took him into custody without incident. Sarang was arrested and booked for sex-related offenses, including lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14, harmful matter sent with intent of seduction of minor, contact minor with attempt to commit a crime, and arrange a meeting with a minor for lewd acts. Sarang currently remains in custody on a $500,000 bail.
A second man was arrested on similar charges on April 15. Sergio Torres, 31 of Livingston, was contacted and arrested after he made plans to meet the 13-year-old decoy in Turlock. Torres was also booked on sex-related charges, including attempted lewd or lascivious acts with a child, harmful matter sent with intent of seduction of minor, contact minor with attempt to commit a crime, arrange a meeting with a minor for lewd acts, and send/possess child pornography. Torres currently remains in custody on a $735,000 bail.
“These investigations are not related to one another but are part of an ongoing effort to combat child exploitation,” said lead investigator Officer Gina Giovacchini. “Our mission is to safeguard the lives and the wellbeing of children living in, or visiting, the City of Turlock and the surrounding communities. Keeping our youth safe from predators will continue to be my number one priority.”
The Turlock Police Department ask that anyone with information, call Officer Giovacchini at (209) 668-6539. You can also contact the Turlock Police Department’s Tip Line at (209) 668-5550 extension 6780 or email at tpdtipline@turlock.ca.us.
The Turlock Police Department is an active participant in the Crime Stoppers Program. Callers can leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636 or (866) 602-7463 and you may be eligible for a cash reward. You can also leave an anonymous tip online at www.stancrimetips.org or by texting “StanCS” to 738447. The P3 app is also available for download for Apple and Android devices.
