Pleasanton man accused of using social media to abuse underage girls

PLEASANTON, CALIFORNIA – A Pleasanton man is accused of multiple sex crimes after authorities on the peninsula accuse him of having hundreds of inappropriate conversations with underage girls and meeting many of them in person.

According to the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, detectives launched an investigation in July after a young girl reported being molested by a man she did not know. Detectives used social media, automatic license plate readers and other technology to identify a suspect, whom the sheriff's office identified Tuesday as 19-year-old William V. Coultrip of Pleasanton.

“The investigation revealed that Coultrip used social media applications such as Snapchat to conduct hundreds of inappropriate conversations with underage girls,” the sheriff's office said in a press release about the arrest.

The sheriff's department said the Pleasanton man used false names, including “John Kelly” and “Josh Foire.”

“Coultrip often drove to the victims or asked them to take public transportation to meet him in person,” the press release said. In many conversations, images were exchanged that were classified as child sexual abuse material.

San Mateo County detectives worked with Pleasanton police to arrest Coultrip on Thursday. He was ultimately arrested on suspicion of sexual penetration of a victim under 18, assault with intent to commit a crime, solicitation of a minor for lewd purposes, solicitation of a minor for sexual purposes and sending “harmful messages” to a minor.

Jail records as of Tuesday showed Coultrip was being held without bail at the Redwood City Jail.

According to the sheriff's office, investigators believe there may be additional victims who have come forward. They are asking anyone who recognizes Coultrip to contact investigators at 650-363-4060.