What started as a consensual meetup arranged through an adult website in Citrus Heights has landed one man in jail and police asking whether there are more victims who have not yet come forward.
Authorities say the woman told officers she was sexually assaulted after going to the home of Paul Cathey last month. The Citrus Heights resident is now in custody at the Sacramento County Jail and is facing multiple charges tied to the alleged attack.
According to KCRA, the woman reported that she met Cathey through an adult website and agreed to meet him in person at his residence, where the alleged assault occurred. Detectives told reporters they are now urging anyone who had similar encounters with Cathey to contact them.
The Citrus Heights Police Department is asking anyone with information, or who believes they may have been a victim, to call its Crime Tips line at 916-727-5524. The City of Citrus Heights lists that number as the department’s tip line. The non-emergency police number is 916-727-5500.
Citrus Heights Police Operations and Recent Cases
The case comes as Citrus Heights police have been stepping up enforcement around sex-offender compliance and internet-based investigations. Earlier this year, officers conducted a citywide sweep of local sex registrants known as Operation H.O.O.K. sweep, highlighting the department’s focus on monitoring offenders and online-related crimes.
In a separate case last year, KCRA reported on a March 2025 sexual-assault investigation at an unlicensed equestrian academy in Citrus Heights. That probe, along with the latest arrest, underscores how frequently the department now finds itself navigating allegations of sexual violence that start with seemingly ordinary community or online interactions.
Resources and Safety Tips
Advocates say there is no foolproof way to stay safe when meeting someone from the internet, but some precautions can help. Common advice includes meeting in a public place, telling a trusted friend where you are going and who you are meeting, arranging your own transportation, video-chatting before meeting in person and using safety tools built into many dating and social apps.
The anti-sexual-violence organization RAINN offers guidance and 24/7 confidential support. Survivors can call RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE for help, whether the incident was recent or occurred years ago.
Online-facilitated crimes can also be reported through the FBI’s internet portal at ic3.gov. Anyone who believes they may have information related to the Citrus Heights case can contact the police Crime Tips line at 916-727-5524 so investigators can follow up.
