Report of man watching children in pool, following and texting teen leads to arrest

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Photo: James Kewarren Kendrick    

A call to the Mountain View Police Department Friday, advising a male had been watching children in a private pool, following them around the neighborhood and texting a 15-year-old, has led to the arrest of 27-year-old James Kewarren Kendrick.

An address for Kendrick was not provided in online court documents. He has been charged with a felony count of internet stalking of a child.

According to the probable cause affidavit, officers arrived at the scene where a man advised Kendrick had been told to leave and not return.

Later Friday, Kendrick allegedly followed the same girls to the city park, where they go to use Wi-Fi from a nearby RV park.

While following the girls, Kendrick reportedly made several inappropriate remarks to them. The man officers had spoken with earlier told law enforcement a 15-year-old girl in the group had received text messages from Kendrick and a phone number, allegedly asking for sex for $25, five cigarettes and a blunt, referring to marijuana.

Investigators talked with neighbors in the area who advised residents had chased Kendrick into a residence along Oak Avenue.

The officers attempted to make contact with Kendrick at the residence for about 30 minutes with no reply. A woman arrived, identified as Kendrick’s girlfriend, knocked on the door, announced herself, and the suspect answered.

Kendrick, who is black, reportedly told officers he was scared to come out because the neighbors told him he was trying to have sex with minors, and he is afraid of police because of what’s happening in the country.

At the Mountain View Police Department, Kendrick’s cellphone was examined. A search history indicated the phone’s number had been changed. Kendrick reportedly said he had made the change a few days earlier. He then allegedly confessed to knowing and sending messages to the victim asking for sex. He said he “was just trying to keep the conversation going and would never act on it knowing she was a minor.”

His bond has been set at $50,000.

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