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Ceres man accused of sexually assaulting disabled person
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A Ceres resident was arrested Wednesday on charges that he sexually assaulted a person with an intellectual disability.

The suspect, Michael Scudder, 51, of Ceres, was interviewed by Ceres Police detectives and arrested on charges of rape and oral copulation of a person incapable of giving legal consent.

Police became aware of the alleged assault on June 5 when medical personnel at a local clinic reported a suspected sexual assault . Police conducted an investigation and learned that the victim had been sexually assaulted multiple times during the last year at a Ceres home. The victim knew the suspect and provided Scudder's name to the police.

Police would not divulge the gender of the victim, said Deputy Police Chief Mike Borges, because it might prompt community speculation as to the identity of the victim.

Anyone who can shed further light on the case is urged to call Detective Art Hively at 538-5728 or email him at ahively@ci.ceres.ca.us. Tips may also be anonymously reported to the Stanislaus Area Crime Stoppers at 1-866-60-CRIME or text tips to "274637" with TIP704 typed somewhere in the wording.