Riverside law enforcement officials have taken a 37-year-old Garden Grove man into custody on suspicion of carrying out lewd acts near Abraham Lincoln High School in Riverside. Francis Ledesma Castillo was arrested after an investigation that began in January when Riverside Police received reports from several female witnesses, according to KTLA. These witnesses claimed to have seen a man masturbating inside a black Mercedes-Benz C300 sedan parked close to the school.
Investigative efforts involving the School Resource Officer Unit, the Sexual Assault – Child Abuse Unit, the Crime Analysis Unit, and the METRO Team culminated on May 1st with Castillo's apprehension. A search of his residence revealed several unregistered firearms, including an AR-style rifle that was illegally manufactured, as well as armor-piercing ammunition. The report from the City of Riverside's website states that he now faces multiple charges, including annoying or molesting children, indecent exposure, and various weapons violations.
Riverside Police Captain Chad Milby expressed concern that this might not have been a solitary incident. "We believe Mr. Ledesma Castillo may have committed similar lewd acts in his black Mercedes-Benz near many other schools across Riverside and Orange counties over the past year," Captain Milby stated in a release obtained by KTLA. The police suspect there may be additional victims who are yet to come forward.
The Riverside Police Department is seeking further information, urging possible witnesses or anyone knowledgeable to contact Officer Francisco Madrigal at 951-826-5638 or via email at [email protected], or Detective Andre Sanchez at 951-353-7133 or [email protected]. Individuals who wish to remain anonymous can submit tips through the Riverside Police Department’s “Atlas 1” mobile app, which offers a "Send a Message" feature for secure communication. The app can be downloaded for APPLE and ANDROID devices, as noted on the City of Riverside's official site.
