January 4, 2003

                                                * FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE *

                  Kenneth Parnell Faces Felonies

Berkeley, CA. – On Friday, January 3, 2003, at approximately 8:00 pm, Berkeley Police Department detectives arrested Kenneth Parnell, 71, of Berkeley.

BPD detectives recently received information that they believed to be very credible that Parnell had solicited an individual to obtain a young child. As a result, detectives launched an investigation, which successfully thwarted any further solicitations by Parnell and culminated in his arrest. The investigation and subsequent operation that was executed tonight involved a collaboration between the Berkeley Police Department, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office and members of the Alameda County Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (S.A.F.E.) Task Force. There are no child victims in this case.

Parnell was arrested without incident in his home in the 2600 block of Mathews Street. In conjunction with the arrest, detectives served a search warrant at his home. Any evidence that may have been seized as a result of the warrant will not be disclosed at this time.

Parnell was booked into Santa Rita Jail for a series of offenses including Conspiracy to Commit Child Stealing, Conspiracy to Place an Individual into Involuntary Servitude, Solicitation to Commit a Felony Crime and a sentencing enhancement. Parnell to be arraigned on January 8, 2003 in Oakland.