A Santa Maria Valley father and son have been arrested for allegedly committing lewd acts with a child at an Orcutt apartment complex, and investigators believe there may be other victims. 

Mark A. Pearse, 64, and his 34-year-old son, Allen L. Pearse, were taken into custody Tuesday in Santa Maria, according to Raquel Zick, public information officer for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. 

 Allen Pearse also was arrested on suspicion of rapes involving  three additional females, Zick said. 

The investigation began in January 2024, when deputies received a report from a female adult survivor who was a juvenile when the alleged crimes occurred, Zick said. 

The incidents reportedly began around 2009 and occurred at the Los Pinos Apartments near Winter and Orcutt roads.

At the start of this year, deputies identified an additional survivor, who reported Allen Pearse had raped her, Zick said. 

She added that last month, detectives identified two additional survivors who also claimed Allen Pearse had raped each of them.

Detectives arrested the pair on warrants for these crimes at their residence on the 100 block of West Boone Street in Santa Maria. 

Both were booked into the Northern Branch Jail, where they were being held without bail Wednesday afternoon, Zick said.

Mark Pearse was arrested on suspicion of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under 14. 

Allen Pearse was arrested on suspicion of  lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under 14, digital penetration of an unconscious person, rape of an unconscious person, and sodomy of an unconscious person.  

“Based on the investigation, it is believed there are additional victims, possibly from the Orcutt Los Pinos Apartments or the Boone Street area in Santa Maria,” Zick said. 

The Sheriff’s Office is encouraging anyone with knowledge of additional crimes associated with Mark Pearse or Allen Pearse to contact Detective Brownlee at 805.681.4150. 

Anonymous tips can be submitted at https://www.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.”

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, Zick said. 

Advocates help ensure that survivors are kept informed and supported throughout the criminal-justice process. 

Survivors can contact the Victim-Witness Assistance Program directly at 805.568.2400 or toll-free at 855.840.3232.