Case Worker Arrested in Atwater Village for Suspicion of Molesting 7-Year-Old Girl

A Los Angeles County welfare case worker was arrested Thursday on suspicion of molesting a 7-year-old girl in Ventura County, authorities said.

Luis Gonzalez, 62, was arrested at his home in Atwater Village, according to Sgt. Eric Buschow of the Ventura County Sheriff's Office. He said investigators identified two other alleged victims in Los Angeles County.

Gonzalez, held on $1.1 million bail, was arrested in a crime that occurred in November, and detectives identified two other girls who were allegedly sexually assaulted in Los Angeles County as far back as 1998, Buschow said.

One of the L.A. County girls was 12 at the time she was molested, he said.

"Gonzalez has been employed by the county of Los Angeles as a welfare eligibility case worker for the past nine years," Buschow said. "His position involved dealing with families in difficult circumstances and gives him access to children."

Buschow asked for anyone with information about other possible victims to call investigators at (805) 383-8791.

—City News Service