Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, in collaboration with the California Department of Consumer Affairs, announced the arrest and charges against a Temecula optometrist. The suspect is accused of attempting to engage in lewd acts with a minor after traveling to San Diego County to meet what he believed was a 14-year-old boy for sexual contact. The investigation was carried out by the California Department of Consumer Affairs on behalf of the California Board of Optometry, and the case will be prosecuted by the California Department of Justice’s Cybercrime Section.

“Let me be absolutely clear: Using the internet to target children for sex is a reprehensible and despicable crime,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “If you go after our children, we will hold you accountable. I’m deeply grateful to our partners in the Department of Consumer Affairs for their efforts to help keep our kids safe. At the California Department of Justice, we will continue to use all the tools at our disposal to protect the children of our state.”

“Consumer protection is our highest priority,” said Ken Garcia, Deputy Chief of the Department of Consumer Affairs Division of Investigation. “California has some of the highest professional licensing standards in the nation and it is unacceptable for licensed individuals to violate their responsibility of professional conduct.”

In July 2022, a complaint was filed against the suspect with the California Board of Optometry. Subsequent investigations revealed that he had sent explicit text messages and pictures and planned a meeting with someone he believed was a 14-year-old boy. Upon arriving at the location, he realized he had been communicating with an adult and fled.

The Cybercrime Section comprises prosecutors, investigators, auditors, analysts, and paralegals who investigate and prosecute technology-related crimes in California. These include unauthorized intrusions, internet fraud, scams via electronic media, internet crimes against children, money laundering through cryptocurrency or electronic transfer, organized retail crimes involving digital evidence, cyberstalking, cyber-extortion or exploitation.

A copy of the criminal complaint can be found here.

It is important to note that every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.