Suspect in Goleta Massage Parlor Rape Case Arrested

Detectives with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office arrested 22-year-old Santa Barbara resident Saul Hernandez-Chavez in connection with a sexual assault that occurred at a massage parlor in the 5700 block of Hollister Avenue in Goleta on November 17, 2015.

Chavez was identified as the suspect after authorities linked him to the crime scene using DNA evidence recovered from a sexual assault exam and submitted to the Department of Justice for processing.

Authorities say that a massage parlor employee was giving Chavez a massage when he allegedly demanded she provide sexual services. When the victim refused, Chavez allegedly overpowered her and forcibly raped her.

Investigators say Chavez fled the scene. On February 9, the Department of Justice notified the Sheriff’s Office of a positive match in the CODIS system matching Chavez’s DNA with that of the suspect’s.

Chavez was arrested at a home in the 200 block of Meigs Road in Santa Barbara after Sheriff’s detectives served an arrest warrant on February 17.

Chavez was booked into Santa Barbara County Jail on rape charges. He is being help on a $100,000 bail.