SP man arrested for child molestation while umpiring game

June 20, 2007
Santa Paula News

A 44-year-old Santa Paula man has been arrested on suspicion of committing a lewd act with a child and child molestation while umpiring a girls’ softball game in Camarillo, according to a Ventura County Sheriff’s Department spokesman.

By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesA 44-year-old Santa Paula man has been arrested on suspicion of committing a lewd act with a child and child molestation while umpiring a girls’ softball game in Camarillo, according to a Ventura County Sheriff’s Department spokesman.VCSD Cpt. Jerry Hernandez said that the alleged incidents occurred June 2 and June 3 during the Camarillo Girls Softball All-Star tournament held at Camarillo High School.The victims, 12 and 14 years old, were players in the tournament that Stephen Darrick Turner was umpiring.During the game between the Arroyo Grande and San Clemente teams Turner was observed by what witnesses believed to be “inappropriate touching. Deputies responded to the field,” interviewed witnesses and Turner “on the spot, and they developed enough evidence to arrest the suspect,” said Cpt. Hernandez.Such reports often have challenges: “Sometimes the statements are not consistent, there’s not enough detail, but everything was contained there. Deputies were in contact with a detective also during that time so they were able to make the arrest.”
Turner was arraigned on June 5 and bail set at $170,000. He remains in Ventura County Jail.Turner has been an umpire for at least a decade and Cpt. Hernandez said that the VCSD is investigating the possibility of additional victims.“Detectives are very interested in that possibility...we don’t know if there are but the nature of the crime makes us a little worried there might be other victims. We are asking for any photographs or videos taken during the game, this one game or any others” where Turner acted as an umpire.Cpt. Hernandez said that VRSD Detectives are urging witnesses or any other possible victims to call the VCSD at 654-9511.Investigators said that Turner moved to Santa Paula sometime in 2006, Cpt. Hernandez added.



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