An East Bay woman suspected her estranged husband of cheating, but then uncovered his alleged sexual abuse of a teen girl
FREMONT — A city resident has been arrested and charged with five felonies related to alleged sexual abuse and providing drugs to a minor, in a case that started when the defendant’s estranged wife suspected he was cheating and confronted the teenaged victim, police said.
Derek Herron, 44, of Fremont, was charged in Santa Clara County with three counts of alleged sexual abuse of a minor, one count of sending obscene or harmful material to a minor, and one count of furnishing drugs on a minor, according to jail booking records. He was arrested Tuesday and is in Santa Rita Jail awaiting transfer to the South Bay.
Bail has been set at $250,000, records show.
The investigation started in late April, when Herron’s estranged wife contacted Fremont police with suspicions that he had been sexually abusing a teen. The woman told police she at first suspected him of having an affair with a young woman but decided to call police after realizing the “woman” was actually a girl, authorities said.
The woman ended up texting the girl, who initially denied Herron had done anything wrong, but later told police that he had, authorities said.
When Herron’s estranged wife confronted him about the alleged sexual abuse, he insisted he believed the girl was 19 at the time, authorities said.
The evidence against Herron includes a pretext phone call between Herron and his estranged wife, digital files found on his cellphone, and statements by his friends who were aware of what was going on, according to police. Herron has not yet entered a plea or even had an initial court date, records show.
Fremont police searched Herron’s home on April 26 and discovered an illegal AR-15-style rifle, according to court records. While the investigation into the alleged sexual abuse continued, Alameda County prosecutors charged him with felony gun possession. On Sept. 8, he pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor and receiving a 120-day suspended sentence and a probation term, court records show.
