Martinez, Calif. – On Friday February 14, 2020, Justin Arthur Cook, a 34-year-old Walnut Creek resident, pleaded guilty to one count of arranging to meet a minor to engage in sex acts. Cook was immediately sentenced to four years in state prison by the Honorable David Goldstein and ordered to register as a sex offender for life.
On August 4, 2019, Cook used a social media site to inquire about family incest. An undercover police officer contacted Cook and they began to message each other. During the conversation, and over the next four days, Cook learned the undercover officer had a 7-year-old daughter and made repeated statements he wanted to sexually abuse the young girl. On August 8, 2019, Cook traveled to Target in Walnut Creek to purchase a bottle of “lube” and then to an apartment complex in Walnut Creek to meet the child. Cook was arrested and admitted to communicating with the undercover officer.
On August 12, 2019, Cook was charged by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office and he has remained in custody since the date of his arrest. Cook will begin to serve his sentence immediately. Deputy District Attorney Kate Jewett prosecuted the case on behalf of the People.
The investigation was conducted by a multi-agency Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which is managed by the San Jose Police Department. In Contra Costa County, detectives and investigators from the Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Martinez, San Ramon, Concord and Moraga Police Departments, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, United States Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the Contra Costa County Probation Department, and Inspectors from the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office participate in the task force. The District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the Concord Police Department’s Violence Suppression Unit for the substantial assistance they provided with the investigation.
Parents are encouraged to discuss online safety with their children, and can visit the website www.kidsmartz.org or our website for further information.
No lube in prison big man