CHOWCHILLA – On August 1, 2024, officers from the Chowchilla Police Department responded to a call for a sexual assault in the city. Upon arrival, officers contacted the juvenile, who had suffered injuries from the assault. Immediately, the victim was taken to Valley Children’s Hospital for treatment and underwent surgery due to the injuries sustained during this violent crime.

Through the investigation, CPD identified the suspect in this case. With the assistance of the Madera Sheriff’s Office, they had detectives watch the residence in Chowchilla, where the suspect resides. The suspect in the case, 40-year-old Arthur Dean Knapp of Chowchilla, was seen leaving the residence and was arrested by the detectives. He was interviewed and booked into the Madera County Jail for attempted murder and rape. He has a long history of violence and arrests. He is currently in the Madera County Jail for this violent and horrible crime.

Chowchilla Police Chief Jeff Palmer said in a press conference Wednesday, “In cases like this, where we have recognized and arrested the suspect and determined there is no longer a threat to the community, very little information about the incident is released, if any. This has nothing to do with transparency or its lack thereof. The department has a duty to protect the community, arrest those who commit crimes, and, more importantly, protect the victim(s) privacy in these cases.”

Big Valley News agrees with the police chief that the victim’s privacy is of far more importance than news stories, social media posts, or comments. Information about the case will come out in the court case. We will always do our best to ensure the victim(s) and their families have some level of privacy and avoid trying to identify the victim and talk about them.

Palmer also stated, “The department would not identify the victims in this case, nor would they be identified by their gender or age. If this were your son or daughter, you would want to have time and privacy to start the healing process. This type of crime is most heinous and will take many levels of assistance from professionals to try and put back together the mental stability of the victim. We hope and pray that the victim succeeds in this very tough and emotional road ahead of them.”

The Chowchilla Police Department suggests the community be diligent when seeing suspicious activity and report it immediately. They also recommend that you ensure you have home security cameras. If you live in an apartment complex, contact your property manager and ask for cameras if none are present. Surveillance cameras are a great deterrent and a tremendous investigative tool when investigating crimes.

Officials statement from the California Department of Corrections  about Knapp's criminal history:

Arthur D. Knapp, 40, was received from Madera County on May 3, 2006, and admitted to North Kern State Prison. He was sentenced to three years and four months for receiving stolen property, second-degree burglary, and evading or attempting to evade a peace officer while driving recklessly. He received 338 days of pre-sentence credit for time served while awaiting sentencing and was eligible for credit-earning opportunities while incarcerated. He was released from Pelican Bay State Prison to the Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) parole supervision on Dec. 12, 2007, after serving his full sentence as defined by law. Knapp was returned from parole on Oct. 28, 2009, with a new term, admitted to North Kern State Prison.

He was received from Madera County and sentenced to seven years for first-degree burglary with an enhancement for a prior prison term/non-violent new offense is any felony, to be served concurrently with the above sentence. He received 526 days of pre-sentence credit for time served while awaiting sentencing and was eligible for credit-earning opportunities while incarcerated. He was released from Pelican Bay State Prison to DAPO parole supervision on Sept. 21, 2014, after serving his full sentence as defined by law.

He was discharged from parole on Dec. 28, 2017, at the statutory maximum. Knapp was received from Madera County on May 14, 2019, and admitted to North Kern State Prison. He was sentenced to six years for corporal injury on specific persons, resulting in a traumatic condition, a second-strike offense. He received 1,380 days of pre-sentence credit for time served while awaiting sentencing and was eligible for credit-earning opportunities while incarcerated.

He was released from Valley State Prison to Post-Release Community Supervision with the Madera County Probation Dept. on Aug. 9, 2020, after serving his full sentence as defined by law. Knapp was received from Madera County on Sept. 8, 2021, and admitted to North Kern State Prison. He was sentenced to six years for criminal threats to cause great bodily injury or death and vandalism, both second-strike offenses. He received 264 days of pre-sentence credit for time served while awaiting sentencing and was eligible for credit-earning opportunities while incarcerated. He was released from Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility to DAPO parole supervision on March 24, 2024, after serving his full sentence as defined by law.