The Kern County Sheriff's Department reported Feb. 18 the arrest of James Rudolph Crook, 46, of Clovis, a vendor contracting with the Kernville Chamber of Commerce at the Whiskey Flat Days celebration, on suspicion of annoying a child under the age of 14, with a prior conviction of child molest, kidnapping and false imprisonment after an investigation that Crook was operating the children’s carnival and took a minor female, forcing her into the ticket booth.
'This fellow has been with us for about five years, running the pony rides and bounce houses,' Borthick said.
 Riverside Park was full of attractions for youngsters at Whiskey Flat Days. James Crook, 46, of Clovis, the vendor charged with annoying a child, kidnapping and false imprisonment was arrested nearby. |
Crook was not affiliated in any way with the Schoeppner Shows Carnival, Borthick said. 'He was, in fact, an independent vendor located in Riverside Park.
Borthick said Crook grabbed a 14-year-old girl and took her into a ticket booth or tent. However, the Sheriff’s Department arrested Crook for suspicion of annoying a child under the age of 14.
'She screamed and got away,' Borthick said. The girl reported the incident to her her parents, who, Borthick said, were close by. Crook was taken into custody and booked into the downtown jail in Bakersfield.
Borthick said Crook's paperwork was in order. 'We go through the whole process. He had a permit and a license. He's not a registered sex offender, so if we had run a background check on him, nothing would have shown up,' she said.
The Sheriff’s report stated Crook had a prior conviction of child molest.
'The Kernville Chamber of Commerce strives to provide a safe and wholesome experience for everyone at all our annual and historic events, especially the popular Whiskey Flat Days,' Borthick said. 'Needless to say he will never return to our Whiskey Flat Days event. ¬Ý
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