A 21-year-old Santa Barbara man has pleaded not guilty to 15 counts charging him with sex and other crimes against three female victims, according to the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office.
William James Trautwein Jr. was arrested on Feb. 1 at his residence on the 4200 block of Calle Real near Santa Barbara by sheriff’s detectives.
The criminal complaint against Trautwein accuses him of the following felonies:
- Three counts of oral copulation of a minor
- Three counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor
- Four counts of assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury
- One count of forcible rape
- One count of forcible sodomy of a minor
- One count of rape of an unconscious person
- One count of possessing child pornography
He also faces a misdemeanor count of corporal injury upon someone with whom he had a previous dating relationship.
The victims were identified in the complaint as Jane Does 1, 2 and 3, two of whom were under the age of 18 at the time of the alleged offenses.
Trautwein’s arrest was the culmination of an investigation that began in November 2022, according to Raquel Zick, public information officer for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.
He allegedly committed crimes against one female on Nov. 16, 2022, against another on July 11, 2023, and against the third on Oct. 25, 2023.
Trautwein allegedly found and communicated with young women he targeted through social media, Zick said.
He entered the not-guilty pleas on Monday before Superior Court Judge Thomas Adams in Santa Barbara, and remained in custody without bail Wednesday at the Santa Barbara County Jail.
Trautwein is due back in court on Feb. 27 for a preliminary hearing setting before Superior Court Judge Von Deroian.
Sheriff’s detectives on Wednesday released a booking photo of Trautwein, and they said they believe there may be other alleged victims.
Since his arrest, investigators “have heard from additional survivors, and have requested additional charges be filed by the District Attorney’s Office,” Zick said.
Anyone with knowledge of additional crimes associated with Trautwein is asked to call Detective Gregory Plett at 805.681.4150.
Those wishing to remain anonymous can submit information at sbsheriff.org/home/anonymous-tip/ or by calling 805.681.4171.
“The Sheriff’s Office is aware that survivors of sexual assault and abuse are often reluctant to come forward for many different reasons,” Zick said. “We have many resources available regardless of your decision to participate in a criminal investigation.
“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.”
Survivors have the option of contacting the Victim-Witness Assistance Program directly at 805.568.2400 or toll free at 855.840.3232. They also can find support services through Standing Together to End Sexual Assault (STESA) via its 24-hour hotline: 805.564.3696.
