Columbia, CA…On Tuesday February 14th, a Private Investigator from southern California contacted the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office with information that he had been working with a family member from the state of Washington to locate their 17 year old runaway daughter. The girl’s location was traced to the Columbia area in Tuolumne County. A deputy found indications that the juvenile was believed to be with a 21 year old man named Fabian Rivera. The family of the juvenile believed she was coerced to leave with Rivera or she was taken against her will.

On February 15th, Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Detectives assisted patrol in surveillance of two different locations where Rivera and/or the juvenile could have been in the Columbia area. Detectives located Rivera’s vehicle in the parking lot at Columbia Junior College. It was discovered that Rivera was attending class at the college and the juvenile was with him on campus. With the assistance of Columbia Jr. College Campus Security, the juvenile was found safe in the library and was taken to the investigations office for an interview. During the interview she confirmed, Rivera knew her age and he drove to Washington, picked her up and they traveled back to Columbia where they stayed together for several days. During that time she confirmed that they were involved sexually. Detectives took Rivera into custody in the parking lot at Columbia Junior College. A search warrant was served at the residence on Marble Quarry Road where Rivera and the juvenile had stayed for the past 4 days. During the search of the residence, evidence was found that supported the juvenile’s statement.
The juvenile was reunited with her parents at the Tuolumne County District Attorney’s Office that afternoon.
Rivera was booked into the Tuolumne County Jail on charges of contacting a minor with intent for sex, unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, oral copulation, sending/selling child pornography, and possession of child pornography.