Morongo Basin CHP officer charged with child sex crimes

JOSHUA TREE — A California Highway Patrol officer and Joshua Tree resident was arrested Friday, Dec. 7, after a months-long investigation into allegations that he was engaging in sexual misconduct and child molestation involving at least two girls, as young as 14-years-old. Officials believe there could be additional victims who have not yet come forward or been identified and have asked for other potential victims to step forward to be interviewed. 

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After his arrest yesterday at 29 Palms Marine Corps Base, Robert Anthony Stephano, 44, was booked into the Central Detention Center on suspicion of lewd and lascivious acts with a child between the ages of 14 and 17, communicating with a minor with the intent to commit a sex crime, and arranging to meet with a minor to commit a sex crime, according to San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. 

Although Stephano was reportedly being held on $250,000 bail, a jail record search indicated he was released about eight hours after his arrest after posting bail. 

The sheriff’s department began investigating the officer last May, when investigators were notified of the allegations against him by the Morongo Basin Station, where the twelve-year officer had been assigned.

Detectives who assumed the investigation say Stephano is suspected of soliciting underage victims for various sex acts as far back as July 2010. 

According to various sources, Stephano volunteered as an assistant softball coach at Morongo Basin recreational league and also assisted youth groups for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

SBSO’s investigation is ongoing and authorities have urged anyone with more information or who believes they may have been solicited or victimized by Stephano to contact Detective James Tebbetts at (909) 387-3589. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call the We-Tip hotline at (800) WE-TIP.

This is a developing story that will be updated as new information is available.

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Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 47, moved last year 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 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 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 15 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.