La Selva Beach Man Suspected of Molesting Girls

A man suspected of molesting young girls for years was arrested late last week at his La Selva Beach home by detectives in the Sheriff's Office sex crimes unit, authorities reported.

Randy Jay Smith, 56, is accused of multiple felony sex offenses with two girls younger than 10 years old, sheriff's Sgt. Todd Liberty said.

But investigators said at least five girls in two counties have come forward to make accusations against Smith. His alleged actions date back more than a decade, according to Liberty.

Smith has been investigated for molestation in the past, but Thursday marked the only time he has been arrested, Liberty said. Smith was picked up at his home at 27 Crest Ln., off San Andreas Road between Buena Vista Road and Manresa State Beach.

"As part of his daily life, he would have contact with people either through work or through his family," Liberty said.

In an effort to protect their privacy, Patch isn't identifying how Smith knew the victims.

Three of the five alleged victims are from Santa Cruz County. Smith has been jailed on accusations for two of those girls but not the third, because the alleged molestation occurred more than 10 years ago, meaning it is outside the statute of limitation, according to Liberty.

The two other girls he is suspected of sexually abusing are from Martinez, in Contra Costa County. Santa Cruz County sheriff's detectives are working with investigators in there, Liberty said.

The current investigation began several months ago when one of the girls told a parent, who notified the Sheriff's Office.

"Things have been difficult, because there's so many victims," Liberty said, adding "there might be additional victims out there. We're aware of many people who did have contact with him."

Smith recently was self-employed as an eBay entrepreneur, Liberty said.

He is being held in County Jail on four counts of child molestation and one count of kidnapping with the intent to commit rape, according to jail records.

Detectives ask anyone with information about the case to call the Sheriff's Office Investigation Bureau at 831-454-2311 or the anonymous tip line at 831-454-2847.