Sexual abuse suspect tried to flee CA to avoid arrest, led to his capture by MCSO and increase in bail

In July of 2023, the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office initiated an investigation into the sexual assault of a minor. Throughout the nearly year-long investigation, Mendocino County Sheriff's Office Detectives established that the suspect, Christopher Kiger (40-year-old-male from Clearlake, CA), had allegedly committed multiple acts of sexual abuse against a juvenile victim. These acts included the continuous sexual abuse of a child, lewd or lascivious acts upon a child under the age of 14, unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, oral copulation of a minor under 14, and sexual penetration with a foreign object.

Mendocino County Sheriff's Detectives learned that Kiger, upon learning of this investigation, fled the state of California in a suspected attempt to avoid arrest. This case was submitted to the Mendocino County District Attorney's Office for consideration of an arrest warrant against Kiger. The case was filed with the Superior Court of California in the County of Mendocino, and an arrest warrant was subsequently issued for Kiger's arrest.

In May of 2024, Sheriff's Detectives learned Kiger had possibly returned to the area. Detectives attempted to locate Kiger in Lake County where he has family members. During these attempts, Sheriff's Detectives learned that Kiger knew he was wanted and somehow knew the bail amount of his arrest warrant. Sheriff's Detectives learned that Kiger was avoiding capture until he could obtain the required amount of money for a bail bond. It should be noted that the bail had been set at $425,000, pursuant to the State of California bail schedule for the above offenses.

On 06-06-2024, Sheriff's Detectives were able to utilize investigative tools to track down and locate Kiger at a remote location on Williams Ranch Road near Willits, CA, where Kiger was believed to be staying and working on an illegal cannabis operation. Sheriff's Detectives located Kiger, who fled the area on foot into a nearby wooded area. After a short foot pursuit, Sheriff's Detectives were able to capture Kiger and take him into custody without any injuries sustained to Kiger or the pursuing Detectives.  Kiger was booked into the Mendocino County Jail for the arrest warrant, which included charges of: 288.5(a) PC (Continual sexual abuse of a minor), 288(a) PC (Lewd or lascivious acts upon a child under the age 14), 287(c)(1) PC (Oral copulation of a minor under 14), 289(j) PC (Penetration with a foreign object with victim under 14).

Sheriff's Detectives contacted a Judge with the Superior Court of California in the County of Mendocino and requested an increase for Kiger's bail as a result of his past fleeing of the state of California and his avoidance of being arrested once he returned. This request was granted and Kiger's bail was set at $1,000,000.