Edhat Staff
Santa Barbara County District Attorney John T. Savrnoch announced Wednesday that a felony complaint charging William Trautwein, a 21-year old resident of Santa Barbara, with 15 counts involving three separate victims.
The charges include Forcible Sodomy of a Minor, Forcible Rape, three counts of Oral Copulation of a Minor, Rape of an Unconscious Person, three counts of Unlawful Sexual Intercourse with a Minor, four counts of Assault by Means of Force Likely to Produce Great Bodily Injury, and one count of Possession of Child Pornography.
These charges stem from a lengthy investigation by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff’s detectives recently shared the booking photo of Trautwein and since his arrest, detectives have heard from additional survivors and requested additional charges be filed by the District Attorney’s Office.
Both the District Attorney’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office are encouraging anyone with knowledge of additional crimes associated with Trautwein to please contact Detective Plett by phone at 805-681-4150.
If you would like to be anonymous, you may submit information to htps://www.sbsheriff.org/home/anonymous-tip/ or by calling 805-681-4171.
“The Sheriff’s Office is aware that survivors of sexual assault and abuse are often reluctant to come forward for many different reasons. We have many resources available regardless of your decision to participate in a criminal investigation,” the Sheriff’s Office states.
The District Attorney Victim-Witness Program ensures all survivors are kept informed and supported throughout the criminal justice process. Survivors have the option of contacting the Victim-Witness Assistance Program directly at 805-568-2400 or toll free at 855-840-3232.
Survivors can also find support services through Standing Together to End Sexual Assault (STESA). Services offered by STESA include a confidential 24-Hour hotline, legal and medical advocacy and accompaniment, and counseling. You can reach a STESA advocate at any time by calling 805-564-3696.
Trautwein entered a plea of not guilty as to each charge on Monday, February 5, 2024. He is being held on no bail at this time. The case has been assigned to the Honorable Von Deroian in Department 11 of the Santa Barbara Superior Court.
The case is scheduled for Preliminary Hearing Setting on Tuesday, February 27, 2024.
Lol, red eyes (crying or high?) and trying for a sincere looking shot.
I hope this monster rots in jail. We all know what happens to those who assault children once they’re behind bars. Gonna get what’s coming to him