Across the state

met through Xbox online community

SANTA ROSA — A 26-year-old man was arrested on charges he molested a teenage boy he met through Microsoft Corp.’s popular Xbox Live online video game community, authorities said.

Ronnie Brendan Watts, of Placerville, delayed entering a plea Wednesday to charges that include using the Internet to solicit a minor, said Donna Edwards, a spokeswoman for the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office.

He is due back in court Jan. 20.

Santa Rosa police arrested Watts on Dec. 15 after the 14-year-old boy revealed details of the alleged relationship to his mother.

Detectives said Watts contacted the boy in October or November through the Xbox Live community, where players can battle online and speak to each other using headsets.

Their conversations progressed to sending e-mails and Web cam videos, with Watts allegedly sending the boy obscene video clips of himself, authorities said.

The teen eventually gave Watts his home address and telephone number and they met in a Santa Rosa park in November where the alleged physical abuse occurred.

Police seized an Xbox console, a laptop computer and various cameras during a search of Watts’ home in Placerville, which is about 150 miles east of Santa Rosa.

An affidavit did not detail the contents of the items seized.

Watts remained free on bail. He did not immediately return a telephone call Wednesday.

Artist hops 12 hours in desert after chaining feet, losing key

BAKER — An artist who chained his legs together to draw a picture of the image hopped 12 hours through the desert after realizing he lost the key and couldn’t unlock the restraints, authorities said Wednesday.

Trevor Corneliusien, 26, tightly wrapped and locked a long, thick chain around his bare ankles Tuesday while camping in an abandoned mine shaft about 5 miles north of Baker, San Bernardino County sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Ford said.

The Baker-area artist often sketched images inside mines in the Southwest.

When he finished his chain drawing, he realized he would have to seek help in Baker, the deputy said.

"It took him over 12 hours because he had to hop through boulders and sand,” Ford said. "He did put on his shoes before hopping.”

Corneliusien finally made it to a gas station on the edge of Baker. He called the Sheriff’s Department, which sent paramedics and deputies with bolt cutters.

Corneliusien’s legs were bruised, but he was otherwise in good health, Ford said. The artist did not have a listed phone number and could not be reached for comment.

And the drawing?

"He brought it down with him,” Ford said. "It was a pretty good depiction of how a chain would look wrapped around your legs.”

<