Hesperia man uses social media and website services to lure potential victims

HESPERIA, Calif. (VVNG.com) — Authorities arrested a 42-year-old Hesperia sex registrant who used social media and websites to lure potential victims and police there may be additional victims, officials said.

On Thursday, January 10, 2019, at about 1:17 p.m., deputies from the Hesperia Station contacted sex registrant Arturo Alfred Martinez at his residence located on the 7600 block of Corona Avenue in the City of Hesperia.

“Deputies contacted Martinez after receiving numerous complaints from females, including a 17-year old female victim who reported being lured to his home under false pretenses,” stated a sheriff’s news release.

According to the release, Martinez would solicit women through social media avenues and website services using a false name. Martinez would also disguise his voice to appear as a female.

Authorities said Martinez contacted females from Adelanto, Apple Valley, Hesperia, Phelan and Victorville with the intention to lure them to his home with the intent to commit a sexual act. 

Deputies served a search warrant and an arrest warrant at Martinez’s home. Evidence was recovered from the home and Martinez was arrested for PC 288.4(a) (2) – Contact with a Minor with the Intent to Commit a Sexual Act.

Martinez was booked at the High Desert Detention Center and is being held on $500,000 bail. Deputies discovered Arturo Martinez is a sex registrant for a conviction of PC 314 – Indecent Exposure. 

Martinez was soliciting females through babysitting services, cleaning service, taxi services, real estate companies and possibly other delivery type businesses. 

Detectives believe there may be additional victims and are releasing photos of Martinez.

Anyone with information regarding similar incidents which might be related to Martinez are urged to contact the Hesperia Sheriff’s Station. Those who would like to remain anonymous can contact the WeTip hotline at 800-78-CRIME or www.wetip.com

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