On Sunday, January 29, 2023, at approximately 7:41 p.m., deputies from the Kern County Sheriff's Office Wasco Substation responded to a reported child molestation investigation involving a Wasco Union Elementary School District employee. During the investigation, deputies learned Jose Solis (37-year-old from Shafter) had potentially touched a 14-year-old female in an inappropriate manner in May of 2022. The Sheriff’s Office was not aware of the allegations until the call was received on January 29, 2023.
During the investigation, probable cause was developed to place Solis under arrest. On January 30, 2023, Solis was contacted at Thomas Jefferson Middle School where he was taken into custody. Solis was subsequently booked into CRF for felony Penal Code Sections 288(C)(1) – Lewd and Lascivious Acts with a Minor, 243.4(A) – Sexual Battery, and misdemeanor Penal Code Section 647.6(A) – Annoying and Molesting a Child under 18 years old.
Deputies worked in conjunction with school officials to gather more information on the case. The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation (2023-00010987) is asked to contact the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at (661) 861-3110 or Secret Witness at (661) 322-4040.
