For Immediate Release

Lieutenant Jim Byers

**Update**

Search and Rescue Operation for Missing Cameron Park Teenager

Today, June 23^rd, 2016, starting at 5:00 am, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team and the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team conducted another extensive search for 15 year old Joshua Joo in the area of the Cosumnes River Gorge, taking advantage of improved conditions, as the high water conditions teams had been experiencing over the past weeks had dramatically declined over the past 24 hours, exposing more areas to search in the river.

At 10:40 am, divers located the body of Joshua Joo in an area that previously was unsearchable due to high water.

The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office extends our condolences to the Joo family and asks that you respect their privacy in this time of sorrow and grief.

For Immediate Release

Lieutenant Jim Byers

**Update**

Search and Rescue Operation for Missing Cameron Park Teenager

On May 29^th at 12:08 pm, The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office received a call of a missing hiker in the Bucks Bar area, near the North Fork of the Cosumnes River in an area known as the Cosumnes River Gorge.  The teen, a 15 year old boy from Cameron Park, was hiking in the area with family and became separated from the group.

The 15 year old boy, Joshua Joo, is a student at Ponderosa High School where he was an active member of the Alpine Ski Team and the FFA program.

Since the day Joshua went missing, there has been an extensive and ongoing search effort to locate him.  This search effort will not stop until we locate Joshua.

The Joo family would like to thank the community for the incredible support and for respecting their wishes for privacy during this difficult time.

For Immediate Release

Detective Sergeant Dan Johnson

On April 27^th, 2016 the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an inappropriate relationship between a 23 year old man and a minor child in our community. An extensive investigation was immediately initiated by Patrol Deputies and Sheriff’s Detectives.  Robert Lee Edmonds was identified and ultimately arrested on May 5^th, 2016 on one count of felony child molestation.  Edmonds bailed out of the El Dorado County Jail on May 5^th, 2016.

The Sheriff’s Office believed that Edmonds had victimized several underage girls, some as young as middle school age. An extensive investigation continued even after Edmonds’ initial arrest and subsequent release on bail. Detectives utilized the news media and social media to seek out potential unidentified victims. We are grateful for the assistance provided by both the media and the community. Several additional victims have been identified thanks to your assistance and phone tips.

Robert Lee Edmonds was arrested on a new felony child molestation warrant on June 15^th, 2016.  Several additional charges are now pending against him due to the identification of additional victims and the continued investigation. Edmonds is currently in the custody of the El Dorado County Jail with bail set at 5.5 million dollars.

Sheriff John D’Agostini and all members of the Sheriff’s Office are committed to total enforcement on sexual predators and those who wish to victimize members of our community. Anyone with additional information about this investigation is encouraged to contact Detective Anthony Prencipe at (530) 642-4709, reference case EG16-3722.

Robert Lee Edmonds