Berkeley man charged with statutory rape of 17-year-old he allegedly paid

BERKELEY — A local resident has been charged with statutory rape of a girl, after police say they found evidence that he paid to sexually abuse her for months, court records show.

Frank Manuel Vieira, 59, was charged with five counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a 17-year-old girl for alleged crimes that took place between Jan. 1 and June 1 of this year, court records show. He has posted $125,000 to secure his release on bond while the case is pending and is due to be arraigned on July 7, records show.

The girl came forward to Richmond police last month, alleging that Vieira paid or “did favors” for her and that he was known to pick up sex workers - including other teens - and bring him to his trailers. Police say they found money transfers that verified the girl’s statement and that she was able to describe the inside of his trailer. During the alleged sex abuse Vieira lived at a U-Haul lot on 6th Street in Berkeley, and worked odd jobs as a mechanic, authorities said.

When police arrested and interviewed Vieira, he told them he believed the girl was 19 and that she showed him ID before any sexual intercourse occurred. A Berkeley police detective wasn’t buying it, writing in court papers that “I believe Vieira was aware of (the girl’s) age and maintained a sexual relationship with her regardless.”

Police say they also found screenshots of sex work ads on Vieira’s cellphone, as well as text messages between him and the alleged victim.

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This story was originally published July 1, 2026 at 4:03 PM.