He drove her to a secluded area of Hollister, then raped her.
HOLLISTER—Detectives with the Hollister Police Department arrested 24-year-old Salinas resident Michael Busby last Wednesday and charged him with the forcible rape of a minor.
On that Tuesday, the Hollister Police Department had responded to a report of a man having prior sexual relations with a minor. The alleged victim reported that the rape occurred that Monday, November 25. She told police that the two met on Facebook after he sent a request to become her friend. He pursued her for several weeks before she agreed to meet him in Hollister. Busby drove to Hollister from Salinas and picked up the teenaged victim.
He then drove to a different area of Hollister and sexually assaulted her. Afterwards, he drove her back home and left, as if nothing had happened. The girl reported the incident to her parents before they reported it to the police.
With the information provided, the Hollister Police Department initiated an investigation and were able to make contact with the Busby near the 1000 block of Meridian Street in Hollister. They took him into custody without incident and transported him to the San Benito County Jail.
Busby was apprehended on Meridian street in Hollister.
Busby was charged with rape by force or fear, unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor under 16-years-old, unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor under 18-years-old, contact with a minor to commit an offense, sexual penetration with a foreign object, sexual battery and annoying or molesting a child under the age of 18. His bail has been set at $286,000.
“Parents should be educated in what their kids are doing on social media websites, they should monitor their kids on the Internet.” Hollister Police Captain Carlos Reynoso said, “You should be listed as a friend on your child’s facebook page, that way you will see what has been posted.”
Parents need to know what their kids are doing with their smartphones as well, especially the ‘selfies’ post on Snapchat and instagram.” Hollister Police Chief David Westrick added.
The Hollister Police Department strongly encourages parents to visit their website and downloaded and view the handbook ‘Social Media Guide for Parents’ it is also available in Spanish.
Update 10/27/14: Michael Busby contacted CrimeVoice regarding this story. He stated that he had gone through his trial and it was found that he did not commit rape on the minor in question. He states that “Everything having to do with force against her will was thrown out because of evidence proving otherwise.” The editors could not confirm that results of his trial, so we are publishing his statement as a courtesy.
