Officials arrest Palm Desert man, accused of molesting two 6-year-old girls

Authorities announced this morning the arrest of a man they allege sexually molested at least two 6-year-old girls in the Palm Desert and La Quinta areas. The alleged suspect was arrested yesterday morning on Catalina Way in Palm Desert and he was later charged with eleven felony counts related to the ongoing sexual abuse of the two young victims.

Investigators believe there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward and been identified, according to sheriff’s officials.

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James Adkins was arrested yesterday morning and has been accused of molesting at least two 6-year-old girls. RSO booking photo

After an investigation, officials arrested James Paul Adkins, 54, of Palm Desert. Adkins was booked into Indio Jail on suspicion of three counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor, two counts of ongoing and continual sexual abuse of a child, forced sodomy of a child, and five counts of oral copulation with a minor.

Additional charges could be added at Adkins’ arraignment, scheduled for July 10, at the Indio Larsen Justice Center.

Although Adkins’ bail was initially set at $1 million, his bail was later raised to $4.15 million and he remains in custody.

The sheriff’s investigation began March 2, when a woman reported that her former roommate, later identified as Adkins, had sexually molested her 6-year-old daughter, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Andrew Nielsen explained after Adkins’ arrest. The incidents reportedly happened at a home in La Quinta.

“During the investigation, it was also discovered there were previous allegations against James Adkins that he sexually molested another 6-year-old female in the city of Palm Desert,” said Nielson.

Based on the circumstances, investigators from the Thermal Sheriff’s Station assumed the investigation and later arrested Atkins. The sheriff’s investigation is ongoing and officials are seeking other possible victims.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to immediately contact Investigator Sean Patrick at the Thermal Sheriff’s Station at (760) 863-8990, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (760) 341-STOP (7867). Callers can refer to incident file number LA180610041 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.