Sex Offender Attacks News Crews

Nobody Injured During Attack

POSTED: 8:45 pm PST November 11, 2008

UPDATED: 12:02 am PST November 12, 2008

RIVERBANK, Calif. -- A violent sex offender who's been on the move without registering had to be restrained from attacking reporters with a box cutter when they tracked him down at a Riverbank home.

Darren Kawamoto, 44, was put in police custody Tuesday evening after a violent outburst directed at reporters and camera crews, including KCRA 3's Richard Sharp and photographer Steve Gonzalez.

Reporters had tracked Kawamoto down at a home the renter of the property says Kawamoto sometimes stays at

Nobody was injured during the attack.

Dozens of residents from Oakdale and Riverbank were meeting Tuesday at the Oakdale Community Center after hearing Kawamoto had moved to their neighborhood.

Kawamoto doesn't have a permanent home and is registered as a transient in both Oakdale and Riverbank.

Police said the purpose of the meeting was to discuss sex offenders and safety tips.

Kawamoto's crimes include sodomy and oral copulation with a victim younger than 14.

Kawamoto had to be restrained by what may have been a family member after getting a box cutter out of his vehicle during the incident.

Kawamoto also pushed some people, threw down a camera and threatened to cut throats.

He was arrested and booked with making felony criminal threats.

A woman who spoke with KCRA 3 said she was one of Kawamoto's original victims 20 years ago and that she was not surprised by the attack and still lives in fear of Kawamoto.

Oh, he's just a misunderstood person who needs a fresh start. <gag>

He added that if he saw the footage on the news he would come after them.

Even though he is not under active supervision, he is required by state law to register as a sex offender.

Sex Offender Attacks News10 Crew News10.net Sacramento, California Local News

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