Alleged rapist used Snapchat to prey on Santa Cruz County students: court documents
By Amy Larson,
6 hours ago
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KRON) — A man who is charged with raping underage girls in Santa Cruz County used Snapchat to find victims and lure minors into meeting him, according to court documents obtained by KRON4.
Luis Alberto Salas, 35, of Watsonville, has several Snapchat profile names, including “Cookies_squad,” “Penjaminpookie” and “LuciousLouie,” investigators said. Prosecutors charged Salas with 24 felony counts, including a slew of child sex and drug charges.
This week, superintendents from 11 school districts sent a joint letter to thousands of students’ parents across the county to alert them about Salas and advise parents to check in with their children.
The superintendents told parents to talk to their children about “the importance of not interacting with strangers online and to report any suspicious activity to a trusted adult,” the letter writes.
Salas allegedly preyed on students from June of 2023 until August of 2024, prosecutors said.
“Salas was selling illegal drugs to juveniles in exchange for sexual favors,” Detective J. Ross wrote in a police report filed in court.
Luis Alberto Salas is seen in a September 2024 mugshot released by the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office wrote, “He was using the app Snapchat to contact minors and provide them with drugs or alcohol in return for sex acts. Multiple victims have been contacted in the unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley and Capitola. We believe there are additional victims.”
Salinas was “motivated by an unnatural and abnormal sexual interest in children,” prosecutors wrote.
Court records reveal that at least five victims, each referred to as “Jane Doe,” have been discovered in the investigation. “Jane Doe #1” is a 14 year old girl. Salas is charged with committing rape, oral copulation, and lewd acts against “Jane Doe #1” and giving her marijuana in exchange.
Salas is also charged with committing child abuse, human trafficking, and sex crimes against two 16-year-old girls, “Jane Doe #2” and “Jane Doe #3.” The girls were used for “commercial sex acts” in exchange for marijuana, prosecutors wrote. “Jane Doe #4” and “Jane Doe #5” are both 14 year old girls.
Felony charges filed against Luis Salas are displayed on a computer in the county courthouse.
According to Detective Ross, more victims want to come forward who fear retaliation from Salas if he bails out of jail. Salas is being held in custody without bail, jail inmate records show.
The Sheriff’s Office is urging parents to vigilantly monitor how their children use social media, such as Snapchat, and to talk to their children about potential dangers.
The letter from district superintendents about Salas’ arrest states, “We are sharing this information so that you can take appropriate steps to safeguard your children. We strongly encourage all parents and guardians to discuss the safe and responsible use of social media with their children.”
Additional information on internet safety and how to talk to children about online risks is available:
Just for weed? Easy to get weed anywhere. I thought it would have been narcotic pain pills or Xanax. I hope this sick sob gets torn apart in prison & I hope these young girls get the help they need.
Guest
2h ago
Only since 2023? Is this possibly a pedophile rapist who has crossed into our country illegally? Regardless, he needs to be in jail for a very long time.!!!
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