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

(CBS) MODESTO - Police in California say a registered sex offender was arrested Tuesday for sexually assaulting a teen on a public bus, a day after the suspect was released from prison.

According to CBS Sacramento, police say 37-year-old Kevin Michael Long is accused of attacking a 15-year-old girl who was on her way to school. 

Police reportedly say he got on the bus around 7:30 a.m. in Modesto and tried to talk to the girl, making sexual comments, before lunging at her and sexually assaulting her.

Witnesses say other bus passengers stopped the assault before contacting police, who were waiting for Long when the bus entered the transit center, CBS Sacramento reports.

Long is reportedly being held at the Stanislaus County Jail on charges of lewd acts with a minor, sexual battery and violating his parole. The 37-year-old, who police called a violent sex offender, was previously convicted of assault with intent to commit rape and indecent exposure.