Mammoth Lakes Men Accused of Sex Crimes Involving S.B. Teen

A Santa Barbara teen is the alleged victim of illegal sexual activity involving two Mammoth Lakes men, according to authorities.

The two suspects, Andrew Bourne and Joseph Walker, were arrested Wednesday in connection with an investigation that began in September, after suspicious emails to the female teenager were discovered. The two men — who have not been charged by the District Attorney’s Office as of Thursday afternoon — are in custody in Mono County and, according to a police spokesperson, have waived extradition and will be headed to Santa Barbara County Jail.

According to police, “suspicious” emails sent to the teen were discovered and reported to police in September. This eventually led to more than 1,000 messages being recovered. The emails were the basis of arrest and search warrants. Police would not release the victim’s age or who initially found the emails.

Bourne, 46, is a surgeon who served as vice chief of staff of Mammoth Hospital from 2008 to 2009 and as the hospital’s chief of staff from 2010 to 2011, according to the hospital’s Web site. He is also in the middle of a term on the Mammoth Unified School District Board of Education. He was arrested for alleged illegal communication with a minor to facilitate sexual activity.

Walker, 48, used to live in Santa Barbara, and until 1999 his family owned the popular Whiskey Creek restaurant in Mammoth. He also used to be one of the owners of a coffee shop in Mammoth. Both he and Bourne have children of their own and are apparently permanent residents of Mammoth. Walker was arrested for alleged illegal communication with a minor to facilitate sexual activity and unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor.

Bail was set at $1 million for each man.

This story has been amended for accuracy since its original posting.