sbsheriffSource: Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office
On Thursday, 11-18-2021, detectives from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Bureau arrested Miguel Angel Gaspar Ovalle for significant felony violations of the California Penal Code to include lewd and lascivious acts with a child, sexual molestation of a child under the age of 14 years, and intimidation of a witness/victim.
Gaspar Ovalle was arrested without incident at his place of work in the City of Goleta after an extensive confidential criminal investigation. Gaspar Ovalle is currently being held at the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office main jail being held without bail.
Detectives believe there may be additional survivors of sexual assault by Miguel Angel Gaspar Ovalle who have not yet been identified. The Sheriff’s Office would like to encourage anyone with knowledge of additional crimes associated with Miguel Angel Gaspar Ovalle, to please contact Detective N. Adomaitis at 805-681-4150.
If would like to be anonymous, you can submit information online at sbsheriff.org/home/anonymous-tip or by calling (805)681-4171.
Sheriff’s detectives coordinate closely with the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office, Victim-Witness Program to ensure the needs of survivors are not overshadowed by the focus on the investigation and prosecution of the accused. Victim Advocates are available to ensure that 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.
The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind survivors that they can also find support services through our community partner, 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.
