RIVERSIDE: Guitar instructor arrested after allegedly molesting child, officials seek additional victims
RIVERSIDE — Authorities arrested a man they say molested a young boy in early July. The man was arrested Thursday, July, July 27. The alleged suspect was arrested at a residence on Hemlock Avenue in Moreno Valley.
Nathaniel Hernandez was arrested July 27, after he allegedly molested a boy under the age of 14. Authorities are asking for the public’s help identifying additional possible victims. RSO booking photo
Officials say the man, who was later identified as Nathaniel Hernandez, is a guitar instructor for a guitar store in the Orangecrest neighborhood of Riverside. He reportedly taught several people, including teens and young children. Hernandez also reportedly went by the first name of Nathanael.
Due to Hernandez’ access to children, officials believe there could be other victims who have not yet come forward and Riverside police detectives are seeking the public’s help in identifying and contacting other potential victims.
The investigation began July 6, after Riverside police officers were notified about an alleged molestation of a former student of Hernandez’.
Based on the circumstances, detectives from Riverside PD’s Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit assumed the investigation.
During their investigation, detectives determined Hernandez committed lewd acts with a boy under the age of 14 years old. The juvenile has not been identified due to his age.
Based on their investigation, detectives submitted the case to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office and a warrant was issued for Hernandez’ arrest.
On Thursday, July 27, members of Riverside PD’s METRO (SWAT) team located and arrested Hernandez in the city of Moreno Valley.
After he was arrested, officers booked Hernandez into the Robert Presley Detention Center on suspicion of sodomy by force, five counts of lewd acts with a juvenile under the age of 14 and a prior conviction enhancement under California’s three-strikes law.
An online jail records search revealed Hernandez remains in custody, held on $43,000 bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned at the Riverside Hall of Justice July 29.
Anyone with information about this investigation or who believes their child may have been victimized by Hernandez is encouraged to immediately contact Detective Charlie Olivas at (951)353-7136 or by email.
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Trevor Montgomery runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News and Anza Valley Outlook and also writes for Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.
Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg and breaking his back in an off-duty accident.
During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.
Trevor has been married for more than 26 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and has 13 children and 12 – soon to be 13 – grandchildren