Manhunt for Fugitive Accused Child Molester
41 year old Clive Decomarmond was arrested twice by Santa Maria Police on charges of lewd acts with minors dating back to 2012.
After each arrest, Decomarmond posted bail of $500,000 and $750,000 to stay out of Santa Barbara County Jail custody.
Central Coast News was there in court when Decomarmond entered a not guilty plea to 20 felony counts of child molestation involving five underage girls, four of whom were under the age of 14 at the time of the alleged crimes.
Our camera caught Decomarmond wearing a GPS monitoring ankle bracelet as he sat in court wearing street clothes.
Deputy District Attorney and case prosecutor Brandon Jebens says Decomarmond faced the possibility of life in prison if convicted.
As he prepared to stand trial and face his accusers, and with the start of pre-trial motions on Tuesday, Decomarmond was a no-show in Santa Maria court.
A no-bail arrest warrant was issued for Decomarmond whom Santa Maria Police say is a dual passport holder with both U.S. and his native Republic of Seychelles travel documents.
SMPD says its working with the FBI to track Decomarmond down but add they do not know for certain if he has fled the country or even the state.
Deputy DA Jebens says the five young women who were preparing to testify against Decomarmond at his trial are “devastated” about his apparent flight from justice.
A neighbor in the quiet Santa Maria area where county records show Decomarmond owned a home described the fugitive as a successful local businessman who’s life changed noticiably after he was arrested.
“Oh he’s gone”, says neighbor Robby Thompson, “like you know, his yard sales held the motorcycles, the BMW, when they came to repossess it, IT disappeared, his boat which was for sale forever, it disappeared, he basically collected as much cash as he could and left.”
Santa Maria Police say they have interviewed a 26 year old woman identified as Decomarmond’s girlfriend but say she is not considered an accomplice in his disappearance at this time.
County property records show Decomarmond’s home on Logan Drive is in foreclosure and is set to go up for auction as early as next week.
“Over the last year we’ve seen him basically dodge everything, try to sell everything, and then it seems like he moved out and rented out his place”, Thompson adds, “seemed like he was making a collection to run and I could bet money on it that he was going to run away.”
Police say Decomarmond may be driving a white, 2008 Ford F-250 Quad Cab pickup truck with a California License Plate of 8S08244.
Santa Maria Police caution anyone who sees him not to make contact with him but to call 9-1-1 or the local law enforcement agency immediately.
The phone number for the Santa Maria Police Dept is (805) 928-3781.
