The Sheriff’s Department’s Special Victims Bureau on Friday confirmed two more cases were presented to the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office this week involving two separate allegations of sexual assault: an allegation involving a child from more than three decades ago; and a domestic violence allegation from last week.
The DA’s Office has filed charges in both cases.
Prosecutors on Tuesday filed one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child against Enrique Mata Granados, 51, a Sierra Highway resident whose occupation was listed as a ranch hand.
The criminal complaint alleges Granados engaged in at least “three and more acts of ‘substantial sexual conduct,’” against a child under the age of 14 between the years 1996 and 2000.
Sgt. Joseph Mesa of the Special Victims Bureau said the report was filed with the department in 2023, regarding the allegations from decades prior, adding the arrest warrant was sought this week prior to Granados’ arrest.
Judge Kevin Rosenberg found probable cause Tuesday for the arrest warrant based on evidence presented, according to the minute order for Department S at L.A. County Superior Court in San Fernando.
The complaint also makes the allegation that Granados took advantage of a position of trust in committing the crime and that the victim was particularly vulnerable, in recommending $350,000 bail for him. The sentencing range for the initial offense is a low term of six years and a high term of 16, according to the complaint.
The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department booking logs indicate Granados was arrested Thursday. Mesa said he did not know the exact circumstances surrounding Granados’ arrest.
He was scheduled for a preliminary arraignment Friday, but his plea was not available as of this story’s publication.
He remains in Sheriff’s Department custody as of this story’s publication, according to LASD records available online.
Separately, a 34-year-old Canyon Country man arrested on suspicion of rape on Tuesday was charged in San Fernando on Thursday with one count of domestic violence against a partner.
His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 21, according to a spokeswoman for the District Attorney’s Office.
Mesa confirmed that his unit investigated both cases.
Locally, if anyone is experiencing domestic violence, they can contact the SCV Child & Family Center for more information and support services at 661-259-9439. Free and low-cost resources are available at BeTheDifferenceSCV.org.
