KCSO looking into amateur sting operation
The Kern County Sheriff’s Office encouraged the public to contact local law enforcement if anyone has any information about a suspected child predator, after a Youtube group attempted an amateur sting operation Monday at the Walgreens on Mt. Vernon Avenue.
Following the group’s engagement of the suspect, according to a KCSO news release Wednesday, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to investigate. Sheriff’s officials did not identify the group.
“No arrests were made,” said Lori Meza, spokeswoman for the KCSO, “but the information was taken and it’s being investigated.”
Information was gathered from all involved parties and the case will be investigated by the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit, the release added.
The KCSO release went on to “encourage those who believe they have located a potential child sexual abuser to call the Sheriff’s Office and provide all information without contacting the suspect. Decoy operations should be conducted by law enforcement to avoid the inherent dangers that come with such operations. These include the potential for violent encounters or unsuccessful prosecution of suspects resulting from inappropriate evidential procedure.”
The Kern County Public Health Services Department urged boaters, dog owners and other recreational lake users to exercise caution and observe signage related to active algal blooms when visiting certain areas within Lake Isabella.
Public Health recently obtained water samples from eight locations in Lake Isabella. The auxiliary dam boat launch area indicated the presence of potentially harmful blue-green algae (cyanotoxin), as it tested at the cautionary level, which is the lowest of the three advisory levels. Health advisories have been posted suggesting caution when using the lake.
Cyanobacteria are capable of producing toxins that have the potential to harm people, pets, wildlife or livestock. Dogs and children are most likely to be affected because of their smaller body size, increased potential to ingest water and tendency to stay in the water for longer periods.
Exposure to cyanobacteria and associated toxins can cause eye irritation, skin rash, mouth ulcers, vomiting, diarrhea and cold or flu-like symptoms. If a person or pet comes into contact with algae or experiences symptoms, seek medical treatment immediately.
More information is available at kernpublichealth.com/cyanobacteria-blooms-blue green-algae. As Public Health continues to monitor and test Lake Isabella, this website is updated regularly with test results and notification of any presence of potentially harmful blue-green algae in Lake Isabella, according to county health officials.
The Kern County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help to find and identify burglary suspects in the Wasco-Shafter area.
Two suspects broke into a farm shop and cargo container on May 26. The suspects, who were caught on camera, stole approximately $6,000 worth of items, according to a KCSO news release.
One suspect was described as a man wearing a mask and hoodie; the other suspect is a woman.
Anyone with information regarding the identity of the suspects is encouraged to call the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at 661-861-3110 or the Secret Witness Hotline at 661-322-4040.
The Kern County coroner’s office identified a man who died Tuesday in an altercation, according to a coroner’s office release.
Brian Deon Williams, 48, of Bakersfield, was injured at 11:57 a.m. in the 300 block of Houchin Road. He was declared dead at the scene at 12:34 p.m., the release noted. The Bakersfield Police Department is investigating the incident.