Ex-SLO County correctional deputy arrested on suspicion of molesting multiple children
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a former correctional deputy suspected of sexually abuse of multiple children under the age of 14.
According to a news release Thursday, the Sheriff’s Office recently received information of alleged abuse by retired deputy James Peter Storton, 63, of Arroyo Grande, and started an investigation.
The investigation was submitted to the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office, which filed multiple counts charging Storton with lewd and lascivious acts with a child under the age of 14 years old, according to the release.
Sheriff’s Office investigators took Storton into custody on Wednesday, the release said. The Sheriff’s Office is not releasing where the incidents occurred to protect the victims and their family, according to the release.
Storton was hired to work in the Sheriff’s Office in 1980. He retired in 2009, according to the release.
Storton is the brother of Arroyo Grande City Councilman Keith Storton. When reached for comment by The Tribune on Thursday evening, Keith Storton said it was a personal family matter and declined to comment on the arrest.
Detectives are asking for help identifying any other potential victims in the case. Those with information can contact the Sheriff’s Office at 805-781-4500.
This story was originally published May 27, 2021 at 4:09 PM.
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