San Jacinto sexual assault suspect remains at large, “multiple” traumatized victims left in his wake

September 3, 2021 Trevor Montgomery

UPDATED: Friday, Sept. 3, 12:15 a.m., To include most recent Sheriff’s flier.

SAN JACINTO, Calif. — A series of sexual assaults, which have all happened along the same San Jacinto public walking trail over the last five months, have left area residents wary of using the popular trail and fearful of when the next attack may occur. Each of the attacks happened in the morning hours, along a winding path and greenbelt area that follows E. Esplanade Avenue, adjacent and between Rancho Park and Park Hill Elementary School, according to a sheriff’s release that was issued yesterday. (See Image Below.)

In an effort to identify and locate the suspect, who has reportedly victimized “multiple” women since earlier this year, officials today released a composite sketch of the man they say is responsible for the multiple attacks.

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Deputies and investigators from both the Hemet and San Jacinto Sheriff’s Stations are now involved in the ongoing investigations, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Mike Heath said in a press release yesterday that included a composite sketch of the alleged suspect.

“In each of the incidents, the (victims were) walking on a walk path that travels east and west on E. Esplanade Avenue between Villines and Arroyo Viejo in the City of San Jacinto, Heath explained; adding that in each of the incidents the suspect sexually assaulted the victims while they were on their morning walks.

After each of the alleged assaults the suspect was seen running into the neighborhood south of E. Esplanade Avenue, according to the Sergeant.

A Sheriff’s press release issued yesterday indicated that “multiple” women have been sexually assaulted while walking along a popular San Jacinto walking trail adjacent the heavily traveled E. Esplanade Avenue over the last five months. After each of the attacks, all of which happened between Villines and Arroyo Viejo, the suspect was seen running south into the nearby residential neighborhoods. RSO composite sketch, Google Earth image

Although officials declined to specify how many victims have been sexually assaulted over the last five months, the sheriff’s press release indicated that “multiple” victims had been identified and interviewed.

Some of those assaulted were able to provide basic details and descriptions of the man, who Heath described as a Hispanic male adult in his early 30’s, about 5’8”, heavy set, with facial hair and wearing a grey and black sweatshirt with grey pants.

With the victims’ help, officials were also able to complete a composite sketch of the man they say sexually assaulted them and the Sheriff’s Department is now asking for the public’s help in identifying and locating the man.

Officials have also since posted new surveillance camera images that show a man matching the description provided by victims, walking in the area where the attacks have occurred. (See Sheriff’s flier below.)

While some area residents had heard about and were aware of the ongoing, months-long sexual assault spree, others, like Maddie Conrad and Julia Rodriguez, both of San Jacinto, were shocked and angered to find out about the incidents that until yesterday had remain unreported by sheriff’s officials.

“These attacks have been going on for five months and this is the first we are hearing about them?”, Conrad angrily asked after seeing the sheriff’s press release yesterday and reaching out to RCNS with questions.

“Exactly how many women have been victims of this man over the last five months and why are we only hearing about these attacks now, months into their (the sheriff’s) investigation,” she asked.

“I want to know what exact steps is the sheriff’s are taking to ensure our safety here?”, she continued; adding, “I fully support our local sheriffs and other law enforcement in the area, and they usually do a great job, but we deserve to know these things in a timely manner!”

Echoing Conrad’s sentiments regarding what she referred to as a “lack of community notification and transparency” regarding the incidents, Rodriguez this morning told RCNS, “This is just so wrong and completely unacceptable.”

“Waiting five months to tell us we have a predator in our midst was too long. We should have been notified the moment they (officials) saw a pattern and knew we had a serial sex attacker in our neighborhood,” the mother of three continued; adding that she hopes that with the newly released composite sketch, the suspect will be quickly identified and apprehended.

However, until his arrest, Rodriguez says she will no longer be walking in the area – a morning routine she used to enjoy daily with her youngest daughter.

“I just pray that animal can be caught soon and that justice will be served,” she added.

If you suspect you know the male depicted in the above composite sketch, or if you or someone you know may have been victimized by him, please contact the Hemet Sheriff’s Station at (951) 791-3400 or the San Jacinto Sheriff’s Station at (951) 766-2400. Callers can remain anonymous. Criminal activity can also be reported through the We-Tip Crime Reporting Hotline, (909) 987-5005.

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Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 50, 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.