A 65-year-old Yucca Valley man, Mark Wilkes, has been arrested for alleged sexual battery involving teenagers, and authorities suspect there may be more victims. KTLA reports that, according to a press release from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, Wilkes was connected to two separate incidents involving young males.
The first recorded assault took place on November 25 behind a local business on Twentynine Palms Highway, where an 18-year-old male was approached and sexually assaulted after a brief verbal exchange with Wilkes, as stated in the press release. Another incident on December 10 involved an inappropriate conversation with sexual undertones that Wilkes initiated with a 16-year-old victim, which occurred in the 7500 block of Kickapoo Trail. Driving a black truck, the suspect was identified through an investigation that was expedient.
Following the reports and investigations, detectives served warrants and arrested Wilkes on December 11. A search of Wilkes's residence resulted in the discovery of additional evidence. He is currently being held at the West Valley Jail, with bail set at $250,000, facing charges of sexual battery, as outlined in a release provided by the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department.
Moreover, by utilizing FLOCK technology, deputies could track Wilkes' vehicles across the Morongo Basin and Riverside County. Exploring through places that his vehicles traveled through, detectives believe there could be more unsuspecting victims possibly assaulted in the same fashion as the aforementioned cases. The Sheriff's Department has made a decision to distribute his photograph and that of his vehicles to facilitate the identification of potential victims. If anyone has relevant information, they are encouraged to reach out to Detective Ables at the Morongo Basin Station. For those wishing to remain anonymous, contact details have been provided for WeTip.
The next court appearance for Wilkes is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday at the Morongo Superior Court. According to jail records, additional charges are listed against him, including sexual battery for sexual arousal and arranging a meeting with a minor for lewd purposes, accompanied by an additional $25,000 bail. With investigators still piecing together this grim puzzle, it remains a harrowing wait to see if more charges will surface as the case develops.
