Four homeless men stop sexual attack on 15-year-old in California

Curtis Mitchell, a disabled homeless man, came to the aid of a 15-year-old girl who was being sexually assaulted while riding on a Modesto bus on Sept. 18, 2012. / KOVR-TV

(CBS News) MODESTO, Calif. - A 15-year-old who was being sexually assaulted on a local bus by a convicted sex offender was saved by four homeless men, police say.

"I am just thankful that we had citizens on that bus who were willing to take action," interim Police Chief Gene Balentine said to the Modesto Bee. "Had they not been there, it's scary to think of what would have happened."

Police told CBS station in KOVR-TV in Sacramento, Calif. that Kevin Long, a registered sex offender, had attacked the teen girl on Tuesday morning, a day after he had been released from prison.

According to the Modesto Bee, witnesses and the police said that the 15-year-old had was on her way to school with two friends when Long began to make sexual comments to her. Suddenly, he lunged and started groping her. That's when the four men -- Joe Barretta, Ken Falls, Curtis Mitchell and another man who is known as "Dave" -- came to her rescue. All four of the men were homeless and disabled.

Mitchell told KOVR-TV that he had been watching Long during the bus ride and noticed something was strange.

"He had made a verbal gesture to the young lady about 'have you had sex yet' and the girl was freaked out," he said.

Sex offender assaulted girl, 15, day after his release from prison, say Calif. police

Kevin Michael Long

/ Modesto Police Department

When Long went to grab the teen girl, Mitchell and the three men stepped in. He recalled that the four men pinned down the suspected. The Modesto Bee reported that a passenger had gotten off the bus after the incident and reported it to the police. The group retrained Long for three blocks until the bus went to a transit center, where cops were waiting.

Long has been in and out of prison since 1995, when he was convicted of attempted rape, KOVR-TV said. He was recently let out after an eight-year-sentence for burglary and making terrorist threats.

"Obviously, I consider this man extremely dangerous and I don't think he needs to be out walking around," Balentine said.

The suspect had stayed at the Modesto Gospel Mission where the four homeless men often frequented, but they said they did not know him, according to the Modesto Bee. Baretta and Falls did remember that he had been disruptive during a spiritual session at the shelter.

Mitchell said to KOVR-TV that his back hurts from the altercation, but it was worth it.

"I'm not no hero. I'm a regular person. I have kids, grown up now, but I would hope someone would help my kids if they needed it," Mitchell said.

[cerwin41971]

Obviously he wanted to go back to prison. Apparently sex offenders who prey on children are no longer afraid of being incarcerated.

[ihatenpr]

The problem is that psychologically speaking,folks like this have no conscience.

I've talked to a shrink that was in charge of a major psych prison in CA and his comment was you got two choices,lock them up forever or kill them,because even though they know what will happen to them when caught,they don't care.

They just don't care.

[Eatme_CBS]

I vote to option 2. A 9mm slug should be the last thing passing through their minds. ASAP!

[euge005]

Well done. I hope someone will give them jobs. They never asked to be bums.

[johnlockesghost]

Kevin Michael Long: Hang him! Pedophiles are incurable.

[djseavy]

To all the snobs who turn their noses in the air when they see a homeless person, let this be a lesson. I've seen business men decked out in expensive suits stand by while women are beaten, purses snatched, etc. Bravo to these four men. They are model citizens in my view. As for the attacker - I would hope he will call prison "home" for say - the rest of his life. He should never draw a breath of free world air agian. To the men who saved her, you are true positive role models for all of us. Bless each and every one of you. I hope your life gets better soon - you deserve it. You are truly great citizens. I'm sure the girl echos that sentiment.

[YackieOh]

I would hope that the city of Sacramento would embrace these four men and try to help them train for jobs and get them in a shelter or housing. They have great hearts and it would make my heart sing for people to help them get re-acclamated to society. As for the horrible guy who just got out of prison and attacked the 15 year old girl... the only housing he should have is housing with bars on it...back to jail and off the streets. The four men who helped the girl should be commended.

[BWB2020]

Homeless and disabled. The very people the GOP wants to turn their backs against, still contributing more positivity to American society.

"I'm not no hero. I'm a regular person. I have kids, grown up now, but I would hope someone would help my kids if they needed it," Mitchell said...

Well, that is one person that the GOP would call a "moocher", and confuse their hope for "the feeling of entitlement".

I wholeheartedly commend these people for their act of compassion, and their capacity for restraint.

[the_golem]

AMEN!

[JaggidEdje]

While I agree with some of your sentiments, do you really think these four heroes deserve to have you turn their actions into a political message?
I would say no, they deserve better than that. Shame on you.

[erasmus111]

What would possess him to go after the girl, on a bus, with other people as witnesses?? Doesn't make sense. Either Long is extremely stupid, has absolutely no self control, or he did it deliberately to get sent back to jail.

[BWB2020]

I'd say all three assumptions are applicable.

[NB62]

Too bad the 4 of them didnt administer some street justice on this piece of human scum

[BWB2020]

Nah, then they are no better than the molester, allowing their emotions to dictate and justify their actions. He will get what he actually wants in prison.

[audemus]

Just 4 of that 47 % Romney said do not matter...

[I_am_3rd]

Don't matter as far as getting votes. They probably don't vote, but you can be a hero and not vote