Santa Clara County detectives are asking for the public’s help locating 31-year-old David Huerta of San Jose, who the sheriff's office says is wanted for failing to register as a sex offender. Investigators describe Huerta as about 5'8" and 286 pounds with black hair and brown eyes, and say he has a prior conviction for sexual battery. The alert went out today as part of the agency’s regular "Wanted Wednesday" push to drum up community tips.
How To Share Tips
The sheriff’s office lists both a phone line and an email address for anyone with information: 408-808-4300 and [email protected]. The X post notes that Huerta was last seen in San Jose and directs readers to the state registry for more background on registered offenders. According to the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, people are urged not to approach Huerta and instead to call detectives with any credible tips.
WANTED WEDNESDAY: Detectives need your help!
— SantaClaraCoSheriff (@SCCoSheriff) April 15, 2026
Our Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE) Task Force is searching for David Huerta, 31, of San Jose.
Description: 5’8”, 286 lbs, black hair, brown eyes
Background: Prior conviction for sexual battery
Current Status: Wanted for… pic.twitter.com/IxKpp8TtbS
What Failing To Register Involves
Under California law, people convicted of certain sex offenses must register with local law enforcement, and failing to do so can itself be charged as a crime that may be prosecuted as a felony, depending on the original conviction. The state’s Megan’s Law website explains registration duties and potential penalties, while the formal registration mandate is set out in Penal Code section 290. See Megan's Law and Penal Code § 290.
How “Wanted Wednesday” Fits In
The sheriff's office uses "Wanted Wednesday" as a weekly social media spotlight on people accused of registration violations and other open cases, and says community tips have generated leads in earlier investigations. The program and some of its results are outlined on the sheriff’s own site and have drawn coverage from local outlets. See the sheriff's newsroom and local reporting on the Wanted Wednesday campaign.
What Residents Should Watch For
Investigators say Huerta is 31, has a prior sexual battery conviction, and was last seen in San Jose. He is described as 5'8" and 286 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. The sheriff’s office is asking residents not to approach or try to detain him if they spot him, and instead to contact detectives. Tips can be submitted anonymously to the SAFE Task Force, and the state’s registry offers searchable information for public reference through Megan's Law.
