A 1997 Sacramento County child sexual assault case was reopened after John Caleb Cowpert, 50, gave new information while in custody on unrelated charges. His statements to El Dorado County authorities earlier this year led to a reevaluation of the case, as reported by ABC10.
A long-dormant case was reopened when Cowpert, who had previously denied wrongdoing, made a recent statement. This led to his arrest on July 31 for multiple counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 by force or fear. In June 1997, Sacramento County authorities were called after a mother reported her 3-year-old daughter had been assaulted, but the case stalled at the time due to insufficient evidence, as stated by CBS News Sacramento
Authorities are investigating the possibility of more victims connected to Cowpert, whose actions may have affected Sacramento, El Dorado, Solano, and Yolo Counties, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office on their Facebook page. Detective Amber Vincent said anyone with information should come forward. Cowpert is in the Sacramento County Main Jail with bail set at $400,000. The sheriff’s office asked the public to contact them if they have relevant information.
