Apple Valley resident and registered sex offender Douglas A. Bergschneider, 33, was arrested on the morning of June 19 for allegedly contacting and sending harmful material to a minor, with authorities urging the public to come forward with any additional information, as there may be more victims. The arrest was made after detectives from the Morongo Basin Station and Crimes Against Children Detail investigated the social media platform KiK, where Bergschneider, under the username "JohnTwinkletit," engaged with an individual he believed to be a 13-year-old girl.
The suspect reportedly sent explicit photographs to the minor and made attempts to arrange a meeting for sexual acts, according to a press release from the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department. Following their investigation, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Bergschneider's residence in the 20000 block of Thunderbird Rd. and took him into custody on charges that include sending harmful material to seduce a minor and contacting a minor with intent to commit lewd acts, Bergschneider was subsequently booked at the High Desert Detention Center.
Given Bergschneider's past offenses and his active pursuit of underage girls online, investigators are concerned that there could be additional victims who have not yet come forward; they encourage anyone with related information to reach out to the Sheriff's Department. Detectives have released the suspect's photo to aid their investigation—a move highlighting the seriousness of the case and the commitment of local authorities to protect potential victims from further harm.
The Sheriff's Department is calling for the public's assistance and Detective E. Holguin of the Morongo Basin Sheriff's Station can be contacted with any information by phone at (760) 366-4175, for those wishing to remain anonymous, We-Tip is available at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or via their website at wetip.com.
