Corona man arrested for alleged kidnapping, rape – victim was held at NSJ residence

NEVADA CITY, Calif. December 15, 2019 – Around 11:20 AM on December 14th, 2019, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office was advised through a third party that a 29 year old woman was being held against her will at gun point. The reporting party indicated the victim had been held against her will in the North San Juan area for multiple days and had been sexually assaulted. The suspect was in the process of taking her to Sacramento when the victim was able to send a message to her friend indicating she needed help. The messages indicated she was currently in the Grass Valley area.  

 With the assistance of the Grass Valley Police Department, we were able to locate the suspect and the victim at the Chevron Gas Station on McKnight Way in Grass Valley. The suspect was identified as Joshua Gaspar, 19 years old from Corona, California. Gaspar was detained at the scene while the investigation was started.

Detectives from the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit were called in to assume the investigation. Additionally, Investigators from the Nevada County District Attorney’s Office responded to assist. During the investigation detectives were able to develop probable cause to believe the victim had in fact been held against her will for multiple days and was sexually assaulted several times. It was also determined there was most likely more than one suspect involved.

During the investigation, detectives were able to identify the location where the victim had been held. A search warrant was obtained for the property in the 12000 block of Shady Creek Drive in the North San Juan area. Due to the nature of the crimes and the fact that firearms were reported to have been used, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office Special Enforcement Detail Team (SED) was called in to assist in serving the search warrant and to secure the scene.  

Joshua Gaspar was booked into the Wayne Brown Correctional Facility in Nevada City for the charges of 209 PC (kidnapping with intent to commit sexual assault), 261 PC (forcible rape) and 236 PC (false imprisonment). A bail enhancement was approved a Nevada County Superior Court Judge and Gaspar is currently being held on $1,000,000 bail. 

The investigation is continuing into the possibility of additional suspects. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (530)265-1263.