PALM DESERT: Elder abuse investigation, search warrant results in two arrests

PALM DESERT — An elder abuse investigation and subsequent search warrant resulted in two people arrested, Friday afternoon, May 18. Sheriff’s officials investigating allegations of elder abuse have asked for any additional information about the couple, a sheriff’s official said yesterday morning.

After their initial investigation authorities arrested Johnathan Domenici, 24, and Kimberly Marie Ray, 22. Both are Palm Desert residents, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Jose Tijerina explained in a written press release.

The investigation began shortly before 2 p.m., when deputies assigned to the Palm Desert Police Station began investigating allegations of elder abuse in the 73-800 block of Mondrain Place, northwest of Gerald Ford and Portola Roads, in Palm Desert.

Although neither subject was arrested that afternoon, based on the deputies initial investigation, on Saturday, May 19, “deputies from the Palm Desert Police Department and members of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s Special Enforcement Bureau served a search warrant” where the alleged abuse occurred, according to Tijerina.

During the service of their search warrant, authorities learned the couple was in possession of several weapons and firearms, despite Domenici being on parole. As a parolee, the man is prohibited from possessing firearms and other specified weapons.

Authorities located and seized two firearms, ammunition, and two samurai swords and Domenici and Ray were subsequently taken into custody without incident.

Jail records indicated the pair was booked in Indio Jail later that afternoon. Domenici was booked on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a gun, being a felon in possession of a stun gun, being a felon in possession of ammunition, possession of a cane sword, and violation of parole. Ray was booked on suspicion of making criminal threats.

Domenici is being held without bail and Ray is being held on $20,000 bail. Both are scheduled to be arraigned at Indio’s Larson Justice Center, May 23.

Anyone with any information regarding this incident is urged to immediately contact Deputy Christine Arden with the Palm Desert Police Department at (760) 836-1600, or call anonymously at (760) 341-STOP (7867). Callers can refer to incident file number T181380090 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 several other news organizations, including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook, as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and The Mountain Echo in Shasta 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. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s 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.