April 10, 2023 - Calaveras County Sheriff's Office officials report that on April 5, 2023, Colton Fontes turned himself into the Calaveras County jail where he is being held on a no bail arrest warrant issued by the Honorable Judge David Sanders.  The arrest warrant was issued following the filing of a criminal complaint by the Calaveras County District Attorney’s Office on April 4, 2023, which alleges Fontes committed 12 felony counts of forcible rape, 10 felony counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, 1 felony count of using a minor for sexual acts, 1 felony count of distribution of obscene matter to a minor, 1 felony count of possession of child pornography, 1 felony count of unlawful possession of ammunition, and 1 misdemeanor count of possessing a controlled substance.  The criminal complaint also alleges that Fontes was out of custody on bail in another case.  In that earlier pending case, Fontes is alleged to have committed 1 count of felony animal cruelty in the killing a cat named Mr. Meow.

The investigation into this new matter was conducted by the Calaveras County District Attorney’s Office, the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office.  During this investigation, Investigators served multiple search warrants, examined social media accounts, and analyzed cell phones for images and digital evidence.  Further, Investigators identified, located, and conducted interviews with multiple witnesses, in addition to conducting interviews with the three separate victims Fontes is alleged to have committed crimes against in the filed criminal complaint.  Sheriff’s Detectives note that the investigation into Fontes’ pending alleged animal cruelty case, provided important investigative leads and assistance to Investigators in this joint investigation.

At this time, this investigation remains ongoing and anyone with further information is encouraged to contact Calaveras County District Attorney Investigator Mike Stone at (209) 754-6330. 

The Resource Connection, Calaveras Crisis Center at (209) 754-1300 is available to offer support and counseling to any sexual assault survivor, even if they aren’t ready yet to make an official report to law enforcement.

Source: Calaveras County Sheriff's Office