SAN JACINTO: Calimesa man arrested after using Internet to lure, assault girl, 15

SAN JACINTO — A sharp-eyed deputy is being credited with spotting an adult sexually assaulting a teenager inside a car parked behind a closed and darkened San Jacinto business, early Monday morning, Mar. 26.

Although the man was arrested and charged with unlawful sex with a minor, the alleged “predator” was released within hours of his arrest after posting $10,000 bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned in two months.

After finding 20-year-old, Joshua Blake Simmering, of Calimesa engaging in sex with a 15-year-old girl, officials determined he had used the Internet to gain the teen’s confidence and had been engaging in a sexual relationship with her.

Based on their investigation authorities do not believe this was the first time Simmering has used social media and the Internet to lure area minors to engage in illegal sexual acts.

Officials are now seeking other juveniles who may have been victimized by Simmering.

“Investigators believe there may have been other victims that have fallen prey to this predator.” Riverside County Sergeant Robert Duckett explained after Simmering’s arrest.

The investigation began about 2:20 a.m., when a deputy from the Riverside County Sheriff’s San Jacinto Police Station was conducting early morning business checks, looking for potential burglaries, thefts or other suspicious or criminal activity.

The deputy was checking businesses in the area of N. Palm and W. Esplanade Avenues “when he noticed a suspicious vehicle behind one of the buildings,” Duckett explained.

Upon closer inspection the deputy observed two people inside the car engaging in sexual activity. Deputies contacted and separated the pair and quickly determined the difference in their ages and their investigation expanded.

“Further investigation revealed Simmering gained the juvenile’s confidence over the internet and had been engaging in a sexual relationship with her,” Duckett explained.

Based on their investigation authorities arrested Simmering and he was booked Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning on a single charge of suspicion of engaging in unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor.

Because he posted bail and was released from custody the day as his arrest, his arraignment is scheduled at Southwest Justice Center, May 8.

Responding to an Internet open forum question posed by RCNS, James Samuelson of Valle Vista wrote, “So this man, this so-called predator, is out after posting bail and is free to walk the streets until May? He is free to potentially victimize other girls?”

“I commend the deputy and all our area agencies for their hard work and efforts, but this system just seems broken,” Samuelson continued. “I know everyone has a right to bail, but that amount just doesn’t seem right for such a serious crime.”

“Something has to change,” Samuelson concluded.

Duckett used the opportunity to remind parents about Internet safety and the dangers of meeting people they meet online saying, “The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department would like to remind all parents to closely monitor their children’s internet use and consider frequent conversations with them about internet predators.”

Because officials believe there could be additional victims, their investigation is active and ongoing and investigators are searching for other potential victims.

Anyone with information about this investigation or who has been or believes they may have been victimized by Simmering is encouraged to immediately contact Investigator Roy at the Hemet Sheriff’s Station at (951) 791-3400. Callers can refer to incident file number I180880004 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 46, recently moved to Shasta County from Riverside County and 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.