EL CERRITO —Police arrested a man last week for allegedly arranging a sexual rendezvous with an undercover cop. He thought it was a 14-year-old girl.
The officer communicated online with the suspect several times in July during a multi-agency investigation. The El Cerrito Police Department oversaw this undercover sting.
El Cerrito police said the suspect believed he was communicating with an underage girl, before he arranged for a meeting.
The suspect entered an El Cerrito residence, apparently expecting to have sexual relations with a minor. However, law enforcement was waiting for him instead.
On August 2 El Cerrito detectives arrested 46-year-old Richmond resident John Vinoya. His bail is $750,000.
Subsequently, the Contra County District Attorney’s Office charged Vinoya on August 3 with allegedly committing several felonies.
Vinoya is accused of arranging to meet a minor for sex, enticing a minor online, and attempted lewd acts with a child. In addition, Vinoya faces a burglary charge for entering the residence in the first place.
El Cerrito police received assistance in this investigation from the Contra Costa County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. It’s one of five such regional task forces in California that investigate crimes involving the use of technology for child exploitation.
Agencies participating in the regional task force include the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office and the federal Department of Homeland Security.
Other local police participating in regional law enforcement include Concord, Martinez, Moraga, San Ramon and Walnut Creek PDs. Regionally, the San Jose Police Department manages the task force.
