A Coachella man has been arrested on suspicion of seeking to sexually exploit a minor, authorities said. The arrest of Ramiro Favela Benitez, 41, followed an investigation launched by deputies of the Thermal Sheriff's Station and the Coachella Community Action Team, with assistance from the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force.
According to a press release by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, Benitez was engaged in communications to solicit sex from who he believed was a 16-year-old girl. In reality, he was conversing with an undercover officer online. During their interaction, it's alleged that Benitez expressed intentions to quickly arrange a meeting for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts.
Benitez was apprehended on Friday after deputies executed a search warrant at a residence located on the 50000 block of Suncrest Street in Coachella. He was taken into custody without incident. The search and arrest marked the culmination of efforts that spanned several days since the initial investigation began on Tuesday, September 17.
The suspect is now facing multiple charges including contacting a minor with the intent to commit specific offenses, sending harmful matter with the intent to seduce a minor, and annoy or molest a child under 18 years old. He was booked into the John Benoit Detention Center. The Riverside County Sheriff's Department has promptly urged anyone with more information regarding this case to come forward, providing contact details for Deputy Preciado or Investigator Bugarin at the Thermal Sheriff's Station.
