Hollister Woman Arrested After Cyber-Tip Alleges Lewd Acts with Minor
HOLLISTER, Calif. — A disturbing cyber-tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) led to the arrest of 31-year-old Fidelina Perez, a Hollister mother accused of performing lewd acts with a young girl and distributing the material online.
The San Benito County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force, received a “priority 1-cyber tip,” indicating the alleged abuse was occurring in real-time.
“That means the child is at imminent risk,” said Breyon Canez from the sheriff’s office. “We have to act quickly to prevent ongoing or future harm.”
Within two hours of receiving the tip, deputies located and arrested Perez. According to the criminal complaint, there is one identified victim, “Jane Doe,” a girl under the age of 14. Investigators do not currently believe there are additional victims, but several individuals may have received illegal content from Perez.
District Attorney Joel Buckingham warned that online crimes leave a digital trail: “If people think they can get away with this online, they’re wrong. Law enforcement will find you—and prosecution can happen at both state and federal levels.”
Defense attorney Brian Worthington acknowledged that Perez was herself a victim of childhood sexual and physical abuse. “That history does not excuse her alleged actions,” he said, “but may provide context for the court to consider if she is convicted.”
Perez has pleaded not guilty and is currently out of custody after posting $75,000 bail. Her next court date is set for July 14, when a preliminary hearing date will be scheduled.
Authorities urge anyone who may have received suspicious content linked to this case to contact law enforcement immediately.
