Homeless Men Save Teen From Sex Offender's Alleged Attack

MODESTO (CBS13) - Police say Kevin Long, sex offender, attacked a 15-year-old girl on a bus just hours after his release.

"I just wanted to get him away from the children," said Curtis Mitchell.

Mitchell was one of the Good Samaritans aboard the Modesto bus when Long allegedly started making inappropriate comments to a 15-year-old girl on her way to school.

"He had made a verbal gesture to the young lady about 'have you had sex yet' and the girl was freaked out," said Mitchell.

Mitchell kept an eye on Long during the interaction.

"All of the sudden, he just lunged out of his seat and grabbed her crotch area," said Mitchell.

That's when Mitchell and his four friends, who are disabled and homeless, jumped into action.

"One of the gentlemen had his neck. Joe had the body. He got there first, and I got the legs, twisted the legs and sat on his legs," said Mitchell.

Mitchell and the others held him down for three blocks, until the bus driver pulled into the transit center, where police officers were waiting.

Turns out, Long was staying at the same shelter as the men who took him down.

"He thought nobody was going to do anything. Well, he was wrong and we got him," said Mitchell.

Long was released from prison one day before the bus attack.

The 37-year-old has been in and out of prison since 1995, when he served time for trying to rape someone.

Not long after, he was locked up on drug charges; and most recently, Long served an eight-year sentence for burglary and making terrorist threats.

Mitchell's back is a little sore, but he says it's worth helping a defenseless child.

"I'm not no hero. I'm a regular person. I have kids, grown up now, but I would hope someone would help my kids if they needed it," said Mitchell.

Long denied a CBS13 request for an interview. He is scheduled to appear in court Thursday.