Big Fresno Fair Carnival Worker Arrested on Child Molestation Charges | ABC30 Fresno

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By ABC30

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Fresno, CA On Saturday ... a seven year old girl got on the "Hydroracer" carnival ride. Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer says the victim's father noticed the girl acting strange afterwards. Chief Dyer said, "She was extremely unhappy. When he questions her what had happened, she immediately told him that she had been inappropriately touched by the carnival operator."

Then a second child came forward reporting a similar situation. Police arrested 46-year-old Sergio Gonzalez-Solis on Saturday. He worked for Shamrock Shows ... A contractor that operates the fair's carnival section. Owner Joe Blash says all his employees undergo extensive background checks. Blash said, "We also do background checks with the California Department of Justice and a national website to see the whole country if they have had any offenses. Also, we do drug testing throughout the year."

Fresno Fair CEO John Alkire says they are looking into ways to further protect children. Alkire said, "We are going on heighten alert. We've already have ... everyone is fully aware ... that anything close to any association with any child ... we want to make sure we do everything appropriately."

The police chief say the suspect worked for Shamrock Shows for two years and had no criminal history. The suspect worked at least three rides ... Hydroracer, Tugboat, and Cricket Train. Investigators believe more kids could have been molested.