French Gulch Man Arrested on Multiple Child Sexual Abuse Charges; Bail Set at $1 Million
REDDING — A 64-year-old French Gulch man has been arrested and is being held on $1 million bail after detectives determined he sexually abused a juvenile female over several years, according to the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation began on August 25, 2026, when the Sheriff’s Office received information about a possible sexual assault involving a young girl. Detectives identified the suspect as Richard Alan Thompson of French Gulch. The investigation found that the alleged abuse spanned multiple years, with the most recent incident occurring in July 2026.
On October 15, 2026, detectives with the Major Crimes Unit interviewed Thompson and obtained corroborating evidence. He was arrested and booked into the Shasta County Jail on the following charges:
- Six counts of Penal Code 288(a) — Lewd and Lascivious Acts with a Child under Fourteen
- One count of Penal Code 288.7(b) — Oral Copulation or Sexual Penetration with a Child 10 or Younger
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Shasta County Major Crimes Unit at 530-245-6135 or by email at MCU@shastacounty.gov.
Case number: SCSO26-004346
Contact: Detective Sergeant J. Duncan #207
