Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a 22-year-old Oxnard resident on Thursday after a months-long sex crimes investigation involving a Carpinteria juvenile. 

The man, Ramiro Hernandez, was booked into jail custody with $100,000 bail on suspicion of multiple felonies, including assault with intent to commit a sex crime, traveling to meet with a minor for lewd and lascivious acts, sexual battery, and furnishing alcohol and marijuana to a minor, according to the Sheriff’s Office

Deputies began investigating this case after a missing juvenile returned to her home in Carpinteria in November, according to Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Raquel Zick. 

Deputies found that the suspect was aware of the juvenile’s age and was communicating with her through social media. He was using Snapchat and Instagram handles @goshboyyyy_lol and @justreelingby, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Those accounts are no longer active, Zick said. 

The Sheriff’s Office used multiple search warrants to discover the identity of the person behind those social media accounts, she said.

Zick said parents and guardians should “stay actively engaged in their children’s online activity, utilize privacy settings and parental controls, and maintain open conversations about online safety.

“It is critical that both parents and children understand that individuals online are not always who they claim to be. Child predators often use false identities, fake profiles, and manipulation tactics to gain trust and exploit young people,” Zick said.

“Teaching children to be cautious about who they communicate with, what information they share, and to report suspicious behavior can help prevent exploitation and keep them safe.”

Anyone with further information about these allegations can contact sheriff’s Detective Kiesow at 805.681.4150, or submit an anonymous tip online or by calling 805.681.4171.