| For Immediate Release Case # 12WF0047
January 13, 2012 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
35-YEAR-OLD MAN ARRAIGNED FORATTEMPTING TO MEET FAKE13-YEAR-OLD GIRL FOR SEX AFTER MEETING ON CRAIGSLIST
WESTMINSTER – A 35-year-old man was arraigned today for attempting to meet a fake 13-year-old girl for the purpose of committing unlawful sexual acts after engaging her in explicit online sexual conversations. Oscar Zamora Pinedo, 35, Santa Ana, is charged with one felony count each of contacting a minor with intent to commit a lewd act and arranging to meet a minor to commit a lewd act. He faces a maximum sentence of six years in state prison if convicted. Pinedo is in custody on $100,000 bail and is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing, Feb. 24, 2012, at 8:30 a.m. in Department W-14, West Justice Center, Westminster.
Over the course of several months in 2011, Pinedo is accused of initiating contact and engaging in numerous sexually explicit emails with a person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl after responding to an ad on Craigslist. The defendant is accused of unknowingly communicating with a detective from the Huntington Beach Police Department, believing it was a 13-year-old girl. Pinedo is accused of arranging to meet the fictional girl in Huntington Beach.
On Jan. 4, 2012, Pinedo is accused of driving to Huntington Beach with the intention to commit unlawful sexual acts with the fake 13-year-old girl. When Pinedo arrived at the prearranged location, he is accused of being in possession of several condoms and Viagra. Pinedo was arrested upon arrival.
Deputy District Attorney Nagy Morcos of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case.
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