Merced Pacheco Charged With Holding Missing California Girl Captive

Merced Pacheco was arrested on Tuesday, accused of holding a 16-year-old girl captive for months and sexually abusing her.

A 16-year-old California girl listed as a missing person was rescued by fare inspectors on a train in San Jose after she was allegedly sexually abused and held against her will for months.

The girl has not yet been identified. Cops said the incident has no connection "at this time" to the search for missing Morgan Hill teen Sierra LaMar.

Patch reported that Merced Pacheco, 23, of Santa Clara was arrested on suspicion of unlawful intercourse with a minor and false imprisonment.

While Valley Transportation Authority fare inspectors checked proof of payment on a train Tuesday, they noted that the 16-year-old victim had an expired pass. Pacheco also failed to show proof of payment. Both were taken off the train.

Upon further questioning, the girl told inspectors that she'd been held against her will and that Pacheco had sexually abused her, according to NBC. The girl was listed as a missing person.

Officials called sheriff's deputies, who arrested Pacheco without incident. The girl was put into protective custody.

More details about the girl weren't immediately available, but police were quick to knock down immediate speculation that she is missing California teen Sierra LaMar -- who is the same age as the alleged victim in this case.

HELP FIND SIERRA LAMAR:

Loading Slideshow

• Sierra LaMar

  Sierra LaMar, 15, vanished after leaving her Morgan Hills, Calif. home on March 16 and headed for school.

• Sierra LaMar

  Police found LaMar's cellphone on Saturday, March 17 -- the day after she was last seen. Cops said they're searching her phone records for clues.

• Sierra LaMar

  LaMar was a cheerleader in high school before moving to a new town, Morgan Hill, with her mother in October. Her parents are divorced and police said that both were cooperating with the investigation.

• Sierra LaMar

  Police are treating LaMar's disappearance as a missing person case. Her parents insist it's unlikely that she ran away.

• Sierra LaMar

  LaMar is 5-feet-2-inches tall with a thin frame. She was carrying a pink and black Juicy purse when she left home.

• Sierra LaMar

  Anyone with information about LaMar may contact the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office at [phone]

• Sierra LaMar

• Peter Robinson

  Deputy Peter Robinson, of the Santa Clara County Sheriff Underwater Search Unit, surveys a pond on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 in Morgan Hill, Calif. The search for missing 15-year-old Northern California girl expanded on Tuesday as investigators followed new leads one month since her disappearance. The Santa Clara County Sheriff's office would not say what the new leads were in the case of Sierra LaMar, except that they came from evidence already collected. The teen was seen leaving her Morgan Hill home on March 16. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

• Sierra LaMar

  A sign with a photo of missing teen Sierra LaMar is posted at an intersection on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 in Morgan Hill, Calif. The search for missing 15-year-old Northern California girl expanded on Tuesday as investigators followed new leads one month since her disappearance. The Santa Clara County Sheriff's office would not say what the new leads were in the case of Sierra LaMar, except that they came from evidence already collected. The teen was seen leaving her Morgan Hill home on March 16. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

• Santa Clara County Sheriffs underwater search unit

  The Santa Clara County Sheriffs underwater search unit prepares to lower a zodiac into Calero Reservoir to look for clues in the disappearance of missing teenage girl Sierra LaMar Tuesday, March 27, 2012, in Morgan Hill, Calif. LaMar disappeared as she headed out for school on March 16, and her cellphone and bag were found tossed in two separate locations shortly after. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

• Sierra LaMar

  HOLD FOR STORY: In this photo from Monday, March 26, 2012, posters bearing images of missing teen Sierra LaMar are seen at Burnett Elementary School in Morgan Hill, Calif. LaMar disappeared as she headed out for school on March 16, and her cellphone and bag were found tossed in two separate locations shortly after. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

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Comments

[macosta102403]

07:31 PM on 05/08/2012

the girl went missing again.. she's classified as a habitual runaway.

http://www.ktvu.com/news/news/police-train-authorities-nab-fare-evader-who-kidna/nNQwD/

[California Beach Bum]

11:40 AM on 05/06/2012

Here we go again with another child molester abusing children again. Let hope the legal system in California will do the right thing this time. Oh, I forgot, the ACLU will make sure that this child molester will get all his rights to include mental treatment, bubble baths, t-bone steaks with A-1, telephone calls, sex in prison, weekend furloughs, ice cream sundaes with strawberries, cherry cake with frosting, internet access, and a ipad.

But we forget to mention the victim and her family and the suffering they are enduring as a result of this sex monster. I never see the ACLU supporting the victims only criminals and other immoral issues.

[glitterik]

09:44 PM on 05/07/2012

The last time I noticed, the ACLU had nothing to do with prisons. But you seem to know an awful lot about prison (or think you do). Where did you get your info?

[California Beach Bum]

11:20 PM on 05/07/2012

It's no secret that the ACLU cares less about the victims and more for the criminals that have caused pain and suffering for the families. The ACLU consistently files frivolous lawsuits in behalf of prisoners but they forget to mention the victims suffering as a result of these criminals. Case point, the death penalty. So many frivolous lawsuits have been filed to stop the death penalty which the ACLU considers cruel and unusual punishment. But what about the victims, what about their rights and years of suffering?

Yes, that's right, I care more about the victims and the safety of society not death row murderers, child molesters, and rapists that are in prison. And you wonder why I have no respect for the ACLU and their screwball agendas. Let me give you another poor example of the ACLU's agenda--Gloria Alread? Do I need to say anymore?

[dmoongo]

01:06 AM on 05/05/2012

Still no update. Perhaps the girl recanted her abduction story. Due to her age, the story will quietly fade away. The guy may face charges, but the girl may never be publicly identified.

[Gabrielle Rossi]

08:31 PM on 05/04/2012

Thank God this young woman has been found alive and I hope she can fully recover emotionally and mentally after this traumatic experience.

[Victoria Cervantes]

07:34 PM on 05/04/2012

watch the link to this story
and now you will see..
she wasn't scared she was in fear for her life
and now she has RUN AWAY AGAIN

[Victoria Cervantes]

07:32 PM on 05/04/2012

http://www.ktvu.com/videos/news/ktvu-top-videos/lHw/

[Susan the Ancient Hippy]

05:03 PM on 05/04/2012

Thank goodness that at least this girl was saved. What is wrong with people today????

[countj62]

05:49 PM on 05/04/2012

You opened a big door there! Many contestants can show us what wrong is all about like Pacheco has done.

[michellt]

04:07 PM on 05/04/2012

Give us a damn update!!! Is it Sierra or not?

[Victoria Cervantes]

04:13 PM on 05/04/2012

no it is not..

[michellt]

04:22 PM on 05/04/2012

Too bad! they sure made it seem like it was.

[mmsuki]

05:08 PM on 05/04/2012

"police were quick to knock down immediate speculation that she is missing California teen Sierra LaMar -- "

[tz1030]

04:03 PM on 05/04/2012

I'm so glad this child is alive!

[ROBB CORLESS]

03:49 PM on 05/04/2012

Good News

[countj62]

05:51 PM on 05/04/2012

At least she was found alive. That is great for starters.

[polyform76]

03:21 PM on 05/04/2012

I hope this gives hope to others looking for their missing children. Never give up. Bless you all.

[larrito]

03:08 PM on 05/04/2012

The headline reads:
''Merced Pacheco Charged With Holding Missing California Girl Captive".
Article states:" The girl has not yet been identified". Which one is it?

[DKC123]

03:35 PM on 05/04/2012

She hasn't been identified to the press/public, but the police know who she is.

[chvol]

03:38 PM on 05/04/2012

No, it says she hasn't been identified. Flaw intact.

[michellt]

04:08 PM on 05/04/2012

this was yesterday and no update. it's weird!

[Joanne B]

02:58 PM on 05/04/2012

glad 4 happy ending 4 a change..lock this guy up and throw away the key..pervert!

[emilykayyates]

03:58 PM on 05/04/2012

I hope you don't have kids...

[floydsrq]

04:04 PM on 05/04/2012

You are right....they do.
Remember that if you ever find yourself locked in with one.

[WILLIEMOJORISIN]

04:44 PM on 05/04/2012

How do you know that she didn't go with him willingly and now is trying to not get in trouble with her parents?

[mmsuki]

05:09 PM on 05/04/2012

That thought crossed my mind, too.

[countj62]

05:53 PM on 05/04/2012

Crazy world right Willie? Sometimes it does pay to be skeptical.

[driller7530]

02:58 PM on 05/04/2012

awww, too bad he wasnt captured in another state.
he'll be back on the "streets of San francisco" before his attorney notices he is out of jail

[LogicalMathMan]

11:45 AM on 05/06/2012

Not true....My home state of CA has among the strictest laws for pedophilia and statutory rape.

[JackVandusen]

02:28 PM on 05/04/2012

let his fellow prisoners know what he gets convicted of.
he'll receive some memorable correction.