Temecula resident arrested, accused of molesting 6-year-old stepdaughter
TEMECULA — Authorities say they have arrested a man they allege sexually molested his 6-year-old stepdaughter, about two weeks after the victim’s mother notified officials regarding the alleged sexual abuse. The molestation reportedly happened on the 30000 block of Colina Verde, southeast of the intersection of Pauba and Ynez Roads, in Temecula.
Sheriff’s investigators arrested Dana Wilber, 50, of Temecula after he was accused of sexually molesting his 6-year-old stepdaughter. RSO booking photo
Officials arrested the alleged suspect, identified as Dana Wilber, 50, of Temecula, at his place of employment on Wednesday, Oct. 25. An online records search revealed Wilber is employed as a simulation technician at California Baptist University in Riverside.
Wilber formerly worked as a technical services manager at Van Can Company in San Diego and served as a Nuclear Machinist Mate First Class in the U.S. Navy. He was assigned to the USS Helena, (SSN-725), a Los Angeles-class submarine based out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
After his arrest, Wilber was booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta on suspicion of committing a lewd act with a child and oral copulation with a child. Both are felony charges.
The investigation began Thursday, Oct. 12, when officials were notified that the victim was being sexually abused by her stepfather, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Steve Fredericks explained in a written press release after Wilber’s arrest.
“The victim’s mother immediately removed the suspect’s access to the victim upon learning of the sexual abuse,” said Fredericks.
As the investigation continued, investigators located Wilber at his place of employment in the city of Riverside and arrested him about noon.
An online jail records search revealed Wilber remains in custody, held on $1 million bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta Oct. 27.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Investigator Franchville at (951) 696-3000. Callers can refer to incident file number TE172850064 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.
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Trevor Montgomery, who recently moved from Riverside County to Shasta County, runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook as well as 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, breaking his back and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries 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 27 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 14 grandchildren.