Santa Barbara – Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department Public Information Officer Kelly Hoover recently reported to the media details of the September 10th arrest of Joseph Michael Hyde, a 63-year old resident of the City of Santa Barbara.
Hyde became the subject of intense law enforcement scrutiny as early as July 2014 at which time, according to Hoover, “Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s detectives, along with detectives from the Santa Barbara Police Department initiated an investigation into alleged child molestation.” That investigation indicated that Hyde “may have been molesting several children” over an extended period of time, possibly over multiple decades. Law enforcement authorities believe that he may have perpetrated his crimes against children throughout multiple jurisdictions, ranging from the unincorporated areas of Santa Barbara County to the City of Santa Barbara and to the state of Oregon.
According to Hoover, “the investigation by Sheriff’s detectives revealed five victims” within Santa Barbara County, with the age of his victims at the time of molestation ranging from age two to 14. It is further believed that Hyde was personally acquainted with each of his victims at the time of his illegal physical contact with them.
Hyde remains in custody at Santa Barbara County Jail with his bail set at $5,000,000
Because of the extended range and time period of Hyde’s alleged activities, detectives suspect that additional victims may exist, and they are urged to contact the Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division by calling (805) 681-4150.
Photo: Courtesy Santa Barbara County Jail Booking
Read more:
KTLA: Investigators seek additional victims
Independent: Alleged child molester arrested
\KSBY: SB man accused of sexually molesting multiple children
