By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Ceres Police arrest man on statutory rape charges
Jason Lopez
Jason Lopez of Modesto - photo by Contributed to the Courier

Ceres Police Department has booked a 21-year-old Modesto man on charges that he unlawfully had sex with a minor on several occasions in Ceres.

Detectives arrested Jason Lopez of Modesto on Thursday morning. He was charged with unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, oral copulation with a minor and distribution of pornography.

The case was originally reported to the Stanislaus County Sheriff Department which determined that Ceres Police Department had jurisdiction over the case.

Detective Art Hively investigated the complaint and learned that Lopez, who was 20 during the times of the alleged crimes from January to May, was dating a 15-year-old girl. Police say he picked the girl up from her home in the country and drove her to a residence in Ceres, where they had sex.

Police said the relationship ended in May and in retaliation, Lopez, posted an intimate video of the two on the victim's social media account. When it was removed, he posted the video on his own social media page.

Lopez did not provide a statement to investigators.