MODESTO MAN CHARGED WITH 35 SEXUAL ASSAULTS

A 34-year-old tile worker is accused of giving marijuana to at least three
Modesto boys then sexually molesting them, Modesto police said Friday.

Raymond Lee DeWitt faces 35 sexual assault counts after being arrested at
his central Modesto home Thursday night.

DeWitt was booked into the Stanislaus County Jail, where he was being held
in lieu of $84,000 bail. He faces three counts of sexual assault, 16 counts
of sexual acts with children under 16 years and 16 counts of sexual acts
with children 10 years younger than the suspect.

Modesto police Detective Ron Cloward said the mother of one of the boys
called police Thursday after her son told her he had been sexually
assaulted by DeWitt.

Two other boys -- now 11 and 14 -- also were interviewed Friday, said
Cloward. Both said they had been molested by DeWitt. More charges could
follow, he added.

Police believe the assaults began in November 1997 with a 14-year-old boy
- -- now 15 -- who worked for DeWitt.

"The first time, he offered a $20 bonus if he would do things," said
Cloward. "The one victim said that was the only time he was ever paid."

DeWitt also gave them marijuana, said Cloward.

"That was probably more to relax the kids, to remove the inhibitions," said
Cloward.

Police arrested DeWitt when he arrived at his home on Concord Avenue after
work.

"He had one of victims with him," said Cloward.

DeWitt was well-acquainted with the victims and their families, he said.

"It's the typical thing that you hear about -- a friend of the family
deal," said Cloward.

When police searched DeWitt's home, they found an office area containing
air hockey and arcade games.

"That's also very typical," said Cloward. "Also, the fact he lives alone
and likes to have kids around. Parents need to be aware of these kinds of
things."

DeWitt is scheduled to be arraigned Monday.

Police ask anyone with information about the case to call 572-9500.