Former Yucaipa youth group leader, accused of molesting 8 kids, tracked and arrested in OR
After an extensive, months-long investigation, a man accused of sexually abusing at least eight children was tracked down and arrested in Medford, Oregon.
According to sheriff’s officials, the alleged suspect befriended his victims through his position as a youth group leader at what was once the Yucaipa Christian Church. Based on their investigation, officials believe there may be additional abuse victims who have not yet come forward.
SEE SIMILAR: WILDOMAR: Youth pastor charged with molesting children over 18 year span
Dustin Ryan Herrera is currently sitting in Oregon’s Jackson County Jail and is awaiting extradition to California. A Riverside County judge has set Herrera’s bail at $3 million.
According to sheriff’s officials, the alleged abuse occurred at Herrera’s former Calimesa residence on the 1200 block of 3rd Street, southeast of 5th St. and Myrtle Dr., as well as various southern California locations during church events and outings.
Sheriff’s officials began investigating abuse allegations against Herrera in November, 2017, when they received a single report of lewd acts on a child, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Richard Carroll explained today.
Based on the circumstances, Cabazon Station investigators assigned to the Calimesa Police Department assumed the investigation. Their investigation revealed that at least eight children were sexually abused by Herrera between 2000 through 2004, according to Carroll. He relocated to Oregon shortly after the alleged incidents.
As their investigation was continuing, sheriff’s officials obtained a warrant for Herrera’s arrest. With assistance from the Inland Regional Apprehension Team – a multi-agency Task Force managed by the FBI to assist law enforcement agencies identify and locate individuals suspected of committing violent crimes – investigators began searching for Herrera, eventually tracking him to Medford Oregon where he was arrested.
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Herrera was subsequently booked into custody at the Jackson County Jail in Medford, Oregon under the name Dustin Ryan Colony-Herrera.
Anyone with information about this investigation or Herrera’s alleged criminal activities is encouraged to contact Master Investigator Thomas at the Cabazon Sheriff Station at (951) 922-7100. Callers can refer to incident file number CM10-063-0013 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.
Riverside Sheriff’s press release.
Contact the writer: [email protected]
Trevor Montgomery, 47, recently moved to the Intermountain area of 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.
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 – soon to be 15 – grandchildren.
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This is such crap. Get facts before blasting an innocent mans image. You should be ashamed.
He is innocent!!! Have you heard of facts? Maybe get some rather than putting someone all over an article and making up stupid crap. This is ridiculous.
When you’ve lived through a child’s molestation you aren’t so quick to declare someone’s innocence. Just saying … I have heard the facts and he will have his day in court. The decision will be made there, in a court of law, with a jury of his peers.
Maybe I missed something, but I didn’t see a picture? And everyone said the same thing about Bill Cosby, & our own Kevin Duffy, it was all malicious accusation. Kudos for standing by your friend, but maybe you need to watch & wait before you end up with said egg on face.
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People need more loyal friends. The facts are this was nearly 20 years ago. One was 16, he was 19. We know the facts because we were there. Don’t be so quick to judge, it’ll be shown his innocence. People forget ‘innocent til proven guilty’. I have nothing more to say. You can’t change the opinions of ignorant people.
Obviously your “friend” won’t admit being a child molester to you. He will lie to and manipulate his friends. That’s what he does.
Whatever story he told you is the reason he got these charges when he was 19 is complete bull.
His charges (all NINE counts) show it was with children UNDER 14 years of age. Not over.
How dare you sick people post here sticking up for this DEMON where the victims & their families may read them. Calling the victims brave statements made to officers as not factual. Wow.
No wonder you people are staying by a PEDOPHILES side. You’re just as sick & heartless.
I truly hope he never gets the chance to touch your children in a sexual manner.