Victorville man in jail for raping a 12-year-old girl dies; investigation launched

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (VVNG.com) — A Victorville man who was in jail and awaiting sentencing for molesting a then 12-year-old girl has died, officials confirmed.

The suspect, 56-year-old Armando Padilla, was arrested on March 24, 2017, and booked for Lewd & Lascivious Acts with a Child, Assault with a Deadly Weapon, probation violation and Resisting a Peace Officer.

According to a sheriff’s news release, On Tuesday, October 29, 2019, at 8:00 a.m. deputies at the High Desert Detention Center were alerted that inmate Armando Padilla was having a medical emergency.

“Medical staff requested an ambulance to transport Padilla to Victor Valley Global Medical Center for treatment. At 10:14 a.m. Padilla was pronounced deceased at the hospital,” stated the release.

In a previous release sheriff’s officials said his victim was a runaway 12-year-old girl from Phelan. Padilla picked up the victim and gave her something to drink and then sexually assaulted her, authorities said.

Authorities said the investigation is ongoing and an autopsy will be conducted by the Riverside County Coroner to determine the cause of death.

According to public court documents, Padilla’s court case has been ongoing with a slew of prior hearings that were waived or rescheduled. Padilla was scheduled to appear in court on November 8, 2019.

No additional information is being released at this time.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Michael Gardea, Specialized Investigations Division at (909)387-3589. Callers can remain anonymous and contact WeTip at 800-78CRIME or www.wetip.com.