On September 22, 2015, the Los Banos Police Department began a five-month long investigation into reports of an inappropriate relationship between a local high school teacher and student.
Police Detectives interviewed a female victim who reported having an on-going sexual relationship with Pacheco High School English/Drama Teacher Gary Bettencourt, 40, and Bettencourt's girlfriend, Devyn Egan, 22, both of Turlock, California. The victim told Detectives the relationship began early in 2015, when she was 17 years old, and lasted until approximately June of 2015, when the victim graduated High School. The victim is now 18 years old.
While investigating this case, Police identified a second female victim, who reported being involved in an on-going sexual relationship with Bettencourt between the ages of 15 and 17 years old, while she was a student. The second victim is now 27 years old.
Both victims were students of Bettencourt's during the relationships; however, only the first victim reported being involved in a relationship with both Bettencourt and Egan.
On September 25, 2015, Los Banos Police Detectives served a search warrant at Bettencourt and Egan's residence in the 700 Block of W. Minnesota Ave., in Turlock California. A second search warrant was served by Detectives on September 29, 2015 inside of Bettencourt's classroom at Pacheco High School in Los Banos. Detectives seized several pieces of evidence, including computers, other electronic devices, and DNA evidence while serving the two warrants.
“This investigation involved the review of thousands of messages via social media accounts, processing of cellular telephones, computer hard-drives, other electronic storage devices, and DNA evidence. We relied heavily on the experts at the California Department of Justice to conduct forensic examinations of this evidence. Their assistance has proven to be very helpful in securing valuable evidence to corroborate our victims’ statements."
-Ray Reyna, Acting Chief of Police
On February 1, 2016, the Merced County District Attorney's Office issued arrest warrants for Bettencourt and Egan related to this investigation. Bettencourt and Egan were arrested without incident by Los Banos Detectives at their Turlock home on February 3, 2016, and are currently in custody at the Merced Main Jail.
Bettencourt is charged with two counts of lewd acts with a child, two counts of oral copulation with a minor, five counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, and having contact/communication with a minor for the purpose of committing a criminal offense. His bail is set at $365,000.00. Egan is charged with three counts of oral copulation with a minor, two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, and having contact/communication with a minor for the purpose of committing a criminal offense. Egan’s bail is set at $165,000.00
To leave an anonymous crime tip call 209-827-7070 Ext. 288. If you have access to a computer and the internet you can also leave an anonymous tip at the Police Department’s web page at www.losbanos.org. At the bottom of the “Contact” page simply click on the “report graffiti and other crime” link or contact the Merced Area Crime Stoppers by telephone at 1-855-725-2420, or at www.mercedareacrimestoppers.org
