The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office says that a man from Northern California who has already been found guilty of many sex crimes against children may have more victims.
Scott Bartholomew Prange, 44, bought a “promise ring” for a 15-year-old girl in Rancho Cordova in February while he was looking for one himself. The girl and Prange were acting strangely in front of the jewelry store clerk, who thought it was odd. After that, the clerk called the police.
The SCSO said that when they got to the scene, they found out that Prange was a convicted sex offender who wasn’t registered properly and had an arrest warrant out for him for getting away from his release. In the past, he had been arrested several times for escaping parole, including leaving the state, and for having material related to child sexual abuse.
Deputies said that when they searched Prange’s things, they found thousands of videos of children and babies being sexually abused. Prange was caught and taken to the main jail in Sacramento County, where he can’t get bail until further notice.
Investigators said that during a follow-up probe, they found that Prange made more videos of him sexually abusing a 7-year-old girl in Placer County while he was on parole. SCSO says Prange also talked to several kids in California, including ones in Sacramento County, Merced County, Placer County, and San Luis Obispo County.
Deputies also said they had found an 11-year-old girl who wasn’t from Georgia.
SCS said that Prange was charged with digital penetration of a child 10 years or younger, oral copulation with a child 10 years or younger, lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 years old, ownership and production of child pornography, and several other sex crimes against children.
“Prange is thought to have stayed with many families and had contact with many children in Sacramento, Placer, and Butte Counties in California.” “Prange is also connected to Jefferson County, Kentucky, Snohomish County, Washington, and Ingham County, Michigan,” SCSO said.
Detectives are asking for help from the public to find any possible victims that Prange may have called. Police want anyone with information to call the Sheriff’s Office at (916) 874-5115 or the Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at (916) 443-HELP or 1-800-AA-CRIME. You can also call (916) 874-TIPS (8477) or go to www.sacsheriff.com to leave a private tip.
