FRENCH VALLEY: 44 charges involving 2 victims after sex offender arrested today
FRENCH VALLEY — Sheriff’s officials announced today the arrest of a second registered sex offender within as many days within the southwest Riverside County area. Although there is no indication the two arrests were related, the two men live just 12 miles apart and both were arrested within about 40 hours.
The man arrested today is facing 43 charges related to incidents that covered several years and involved his ex-girlfriend’s daughter, who was a preteen while the abuses were happening at the man’s French Valley residence.
He is facing at least one additional felony charge related to the rape of another, adult family member after the molestation investigation uncovered a second victim. The other victim was 23 when the alleged assault occurred in the City of Murrieta.
SEE RELATED: MENIFEE: Registered sex offender arrested after allegedly molesting child, 7
Michael Camilleri was arrested after he allegedly molested a girl younger than 14 and raped another victim who was 23 at the time. RSO booking photo
After an investigation, deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s southwest area station arrested 42-year-old, Michael James Camilleri, 42, of French Valley. Jail reports indicate he was booked at Cois Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta on suspicion of more 30 counts of forced oral copulation, 12 counts of sexual penetration of a minor under the age of 14 and rape. He was also charged with a single count of being a prior habitual criminal.
Deputies began investigating the allegations Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 28, after the now 14-year-old victim’s mother reported that her daughter had disclosed details about the incidents, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Collazo explained after Camilleri’s arrest.
The woman reported to deputies that her ex-boyfriend, later identified as Camilleri, had molested her daughter multiple times “over the past couple of years and while the family lived on the 31000 block of Jan Steen Court in French Valley,” Collazo explained.
According to the Megan’s Law website, Camilleri still resides at the same home. He has been a registered sex offender since a 1997 conviction for committing lewd and lascivious acts with a child younger than 14.
“During the investigation, it was also discovered that Camilleri had sexually assaulted the victim’s 23-year-old sister several years ago when the family lived in the City of Murrieta,” Collazo explained.
Investigators assigned to the case located and arrested Camilleri in the area of Cement Plant Road and S. Rancho Avenue in Colton, jail records indicated.
After Camilleri was booked for various crimes involving the two victims, investigators sought and obtained a “No Bail” order from a judge “due to the charges and circumstance of this investigation,” said Collazo.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation or Camilleri alleged crimes is encouraged to contact Investigator Schell at the Southwest Station (951) 696-3000 or Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Dispatch (951) 776-1099. Callers can refer to incident file number SW180590023 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.