Second teen in Hemet sex trafficking case ID’s Corona man who once traveled to AZ for sex with a minor

CORONA, Calif. — Authorities say a Riverside County man who was arrested last February after allegedly engaging in sexual acts with a sexually trafficked minor in Hemet has been arrested again after another young victim stepped forward after recognizing him from reports of his arrest earlier this year.

The alleged suspect, 36-year-old, Steven Michael Rawley, made headlines in California and Arizona after his February arrest when Riverside County News Source (RCNS) uncovered that the man had once been caught up in a 2018 citizen sting by Arizona anti-sex-trafficking activist and watchdog group Arizona Predator Prevention (APP).

In that incident, which did not lead to an immediate arrest, APP members set up a sting where Rawley was captured on video after driving more than 300 miles from his Corona residence to Mohave County, Arizona in an attempt to meet with a person he believed was a 15-year-old girl.

As it turned out, the “girl” Rawley had driven across state lines to meet with was actually an APP operative working in an undercover capacity “to identify and discourage those seeking to engage in sexual acts with minors,” APP Founder Sabrina Ajack told RCNS in an exclusive interview after Rawley’s February arrest.

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Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (RCAHT) first began investigating Rawley after a December 2020 Hemet case that involved the sexual trafficking of a teen. One of the men identified as having engaged in sexual acts with the girl was Rawley, Riverside County Sheriff’s Sergeant Robert Menchaca said after Rawley’s February arrest.

Rawley’s booking charges at the time indicated his alleged victim was younger than 14.

Steven Rawley, 36, of Corona, was arrested again this week after a second teenage sexually trafficked victim came forward with allegations of abuse. Rawley once traveled more than 300 miles to engage with a person he believed was a 15-year-old girl. In that incident, he was confronted on video by Arizona Predator Prevention, who had set up the meeting with Rawley. RSO booking photo

Shortly after Rawley’s February arrest, a second victim who recognized Rawley’s photo contacted officials alleging that she was also victimized by the Corona resident, Menchaca said yesterday.

“The underage female advised investigators she was also sexually exploited by Steven Rawley when she was 16-years-old,” the Sergeant explained. “Investigators interviewed the minor and confirmed she was sexually exploited for money via social media/internet.”

On Thursday, April 8, RCAHT members contacted Rawley at his Ridgeline Drive apartment in Corona and arrested him for contacting a minor with intent to commit lewd acts, arranging a meeting with a minor to commit a sex offense, and unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, all felonies, according to Menchaca.

Due to an additional victim located, a Bail Enhancement was sought and his bail has been set at $500,000.

Online jail records indicate Rawley remains in custody and is scheduled to be arraigned on his new charges at the Riverside Hall Of Justice on April 12. His other criminal case related to his February arrest is continuing.

“We’re dedicated to exposing potential and suspected child abusers and making our community safer by making sure parents know who to keep their children away from, ” explained Arizona Predator Prevention Founder Sabrina Ajack. “Our mission is to protect the innocence of our children, by exposing one child predator at a time.”

After Rawley’s recent arrest on charges involving a second young victim, APP Founder Sabrina Ajack – a survivor of childhood sexual abuse herself – told RCNS, “I’m not surprised. Not surprised in the least. People like him don’t care how much they can ruin a child’s life.”

“Unfortunately these sexual predators are way more interested in intercourse and … not even thinking about the minor that’s being hurt,” Ajack explained. “We realize the trauma that follows for a child after being violated by an adult and as parents, we believe that a child should never be abused.”

“The subject isn’t being spoken about enough in my opinion,” Ajack continued; adding, “Our justice system isn’t enough and changes need to be made.”

SEE RELATED: Corona man who once drove to Arizona to have sex with teen charged with having sex with Hemet minor

The Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force has reason to believe there are additional victims in Riverside County and have asked that anyone with additional information, or who believes they may have been victimized by Rawley to contact RCAHT – Deputy Mario Chavez at (951) 422-1141 or (951) 955-1700. Callers can refer to incident file number R203250003 or R210810003 and can remain anonymous.

To learn more about Arizona Predator Prevention and how you might be able to help stem the overwhelming tide of sex trafficking involving minors, visit them on Facebook. They can also be found on Instagram and TikTok.

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Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 49, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source (RCNS) and Shasta County News Source (SCNS).

Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County-based newspapers Valley News, Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; the Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County; and Mountain Echo in Shasta County. He is also a regular contributor to Thin Blue Line TV and Law Enforcement News Network and has had his stories featured on news stations throughout the Southern California and North State regions.

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 30 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 18 grandchildren.