Police: Porterville, CA man arrested on Christmas Eve for trying to meet underage girl

A Porterville man was arrested on Christmas Eve after police say he tried to lure a 15-year-old girl with the purpose of sexually assaulting her, according to a news release.

Porterville police say Hector Tamayo Pacheco, 36, was arrested at his home on the 300 block of Argyle Street at around 11 a.m. Tuesday.

A weeks-long investigation found that he allegedly tried to lure the girl into his white Chevy Tahoe on Nov. 13 near Monache High School. Investigators say he was also coordinating to meet with her for the purpose of carrying out sexual crimes.

In 2012, Pacheco was arrested on suspicion of a similar crime: attempting to lure a 15-year-old girl into his Tahoe twice within two months. It was not clear whether Pacheco was convicted.

He has been booked into a Tulare County jail on suspicion of annoying or molesting a juvenile and contact with a minor to commit a sexual offense.

Anyone who has witnessed Pacheco having inappropriate contact with a minor or might be a victim is asked to call Porterville Police Detective Maria Aguillon at 559-782-7400.

Another Porterville man, 26-year-old Keith Russell, was arrested earlier in December after police say he also tried to meet with an underage girl to commit sexual offenses while already being convicted of a similar crime.