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Cayucos firefighter convicted of rape, human trafficking

March 5, 2016
Oscar Higueros

Oscar Higueros

A San Luis Obispo jury has convicted former Cayucos firefighter Oscar Higueros Jr. of 25 crimes, including forcible rape and human trafficking of a minor by force or fear. The crimes stem from Higueros’s relationship with a then-17-year-old Los Osos girl.

The human trafficking conviction alone carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years to life, according to the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office. In all, Higueros, 40, faces a minimum of 64 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 183 years and eight months to life.

In July 2014, Higueros allegedly paid $150 to Richard Scott Brooks to have sex with the Los Osos teen. Brooks was recently convicted of 19 crimes related to sexual abuse of the teen, and he was sentenced to more than 60 years in prison.

Higueors met the teen by responding to an ad Brooks posted on Craigslist. Higueros initially met the girl at her Los Osos home. The teen later moved in with him.

Prosecutors said during the trial that Higueros forced the girl to be his sex slave and tried to make her sign a “master-slave” contract.

The teen testified that Higueros made her do household chores and punished her for anything she did in an incorrect manner. When she had a male friend visit her at the home, Higueros became angry and had “hate rape” with her, breaking her wrist, she said.

Higueros testified that the teen lied about her age and he did not know she was 17 during their sexual relationship. However, prosecutors showed text messages in which the teen told Higueros she was 17 and should still be receiving child support from her father.

Prosecutors also showed jurors video of Higueros having sex with the teen. Higueros allegedly recorded the sex tapes on his phones and planned to publish them for money.

Richard Scott Brooks

Richard Scott Brooks

Jurors in the previous trial watched videos of Brooks having sex with the teen.

Higueros’ jury also convicted him of multiple drug offenses. The teen testified that Higueros forced her to package and sell marijuana. He also gave her alcohol, marijuana, cocaine and mushrooms, she said.

Following the announcement of the verdicts Friday, District Attorney Dan Dow released a statement saying Higueros committed a horrific crime and was brought to justice.

“These verdicts send a very clear message to anyone in, or passing through our county, that we will vigorously prosecute anyone who exploits children or any other human being in San Luis Obispo County,” Dow stated.

A judge is scheduled to sentence Higueros on May 9 1:30 p.m. in San Luis Obispo Superior Court.


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Men like this are predators. Behind bars is the appropriate place for them.


Dan Dow and his staff and the Sheriff’s Dept. investigators are to be commended.


They accomplished this despite the dysfunctional interference from Social Services on these cases who tries to convince us they know what they are doing more than anyone else.


Driven by the pursuit of power and money, it cannot be.


Press on Mr. Dow and Mr. Parkinson.


2

Or how about a GPS monitor on him and restitution. Maybe he should have to pay “victim support” to her for the next 20 years. Is he a danger or was it the situation?


I’m not excusing him, just beginning to wonder if it serves a purpose to jail everyone. This victim was a huge mess due to her family before she willingly entered the picture. It’s not like he hung out by the park and grabbed an innocent child


He’s a scumbag. I just wonder how we as society are benefitting by locking him up? I would bet the victim would grab at the chance for some serious restitution instead of locking him up.


-4

Pardon me, did you see how many laws this scumbag broke? He did not only treat this young lady inhuman but other women who also testified. He has multiple problems:involving women, anger, drugs, lying, deceit, etc.


Actually, he should have been given the death penalty as he does not belong to this society.


2

You missed the point.


-1

So how is spending several million dollars incarcerating him going to help? Surely there is an alternatives for scumbags like him.


Is he a threat? Probably to a certain type of disturbed woman he would be. Although, those same women will likely find other ways to meet their destiny even if he is locked up. I propose an abusive people registry for men/women who abuse.


So what to do with him? I do think he deserves punishment, but how does spending millions on him do anything for me, the taxpayer?


I’m standing by my solution to make him spend his life paying monthly restitution benefits to the victim, and to severely limit his freedom by GPS.


-2

I would say he is a continued danger to the victim and to the women who bravely testified to having similar experiences with him. He is a predator and belongs in prison.


I do like your restitution idea for non-violent offenders– we have way too many people in prison and jail.


3

If time takes its course the city of SLO will probably hire him as a firefighter when his time is up. He wouldn’t be the first one,


1

I have a sister that was married at 14, her daughter at 15 and here granddaughter at 16. 17 in some cultures is no child and a man having a relationship with a woman half his age is not uncommon too. Regardless of that, he broke our laws but I would put her under a microscope to identify her part in this lawlessness. If she is a victim than maybe that would be on her parents but if not them than she is a victim of her own choices, choices that afforded others to make bad choices too. I’d put them both in the same cell, like a rancher that ties a chicken around the bad dogs neck. In time the dog will grow to avoid chickens at all costs.


-2

I just don’t understand, in the court room setting, do we not place the hand on the Hebrew god Yahweh’s bible to swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth, so help you god? If the bible is used in this manner, then it gives credence to follow it’s godly edicts. To do anything less than this is hypocritical!


Therefore, if we’re truly a Christian nation, then the following is in order for Mr. Higueros upon his sentencing hearing on May 9, 2016. To wit: “Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death.” (Exodus 21:16) “If a man is found stealing one of his brothers of the people of Israel, and if he treats him as a slave or sells him, then that thief shall die. So you shall purge the evil from your midst. (Deuteronomy 24:7)


True Christians should follow ALL of the bible, or totally discard it as has been done to many of the other different godly faiths of BC era.


-1

183 years and 8 months. That’s a long time. Unfortunately he’ll be out in 7.


-1

Imagine millions of dollars of tax dollars spent locking this perp up, I think he would be of more ‘service’ if we made fertilizer out of him.


1

This guy was so cocky throughout this trial. I really think he thought he was by far the smartest person in the courtroom. Guess not!


0

Maybe we could ask Mr. Ramos on the SLOFD to be on the panel. He would give everyone a fighting chance.


0

Why does every article about this guy start off with describing him as a volunteer firefighter. You know they aren’t all rapists and murderers.


0

Because it is notable that a man this twisted and sick is in a profession that usually draws those who are dedicated and kind. This needs to be brought forth. Perhaps it is time to do a psychological assessment of some kind. I would personally start with a PCL-R assessment.


1