A Northern California man who has previously been convicted of several sex crimes against children may have more victims, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office.
In February, Scott Bartholomew Prange, 44, bought a “promise ring” for a 15-year-old girl in Rancho Cordova, according to SCSO. The jewelry store clerk found Prange’s behavior with the girl strange. The clerk then phoned law enforcement.
SCSO discovered that Prange, a convicted sex offender, was out of compliance with his registration and had an outstanding warrant for absconding from parole. He was previously arrested for absconding from parole, escaping the state, and possessing child sexual abuse materials.
Deputies said a search of Prange’s belongings revealed thousands of sexually abusive videos involving newborns and minors. Prange was arrested and put into the Sacramento County Main Jail, where he is still ineligible for bond.
During a subsequent inquiry, investigators discovered that Prange, while on parole, had created other films of him sexually abusing a 7-year-old girl in Placer County. According to SCSO, Prange communicated with many minors in California, including Sacramento, Merced, Placer, and San Luis Obispo counties.
Deputies also identified an 11-year-old girl from Georgia.
According to SCSO, Prange was charged with digital penetration of a kid 10 years or younger, oral copulation with a child 10 years or younger, lewd and lascivious conduct with a child under the age of 14, possession and production of child pornography, and a plethora of other sex crimes against minors.
Prange reportedly lived with many families and had access to children throughout Sacramento, Placer, and Butte counties in California. The SCSO reported that Prange had ties to Jefferson County in Kentucky, Snohomish County in Washington, and Ingham County in Michigan.
Detectives are requesting public assistance in locating any potential victims Prange may have contacted. Law enforcement advises anybody with relevant information to call the Sheriff’s Office at (916) 874-5115 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at (916) 443-HELP (4357), 1-800-AA-CRIME. Tips can also be submitted anonymously at www.sacsheriff.com or by calling (916) 874-TIPS (8477).