| For Immediate Release Case # TBA
January 14, 2009 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
THIRD-STRIKER SEX OFFENDER CHARGED WITH SEXUALLY GROOMING TWO YOUNG BROTHERS
WITH TALK OF MASTURBATION
*Law enforcement is asking for the public’s help in identifying potential additional victims
SANTA ANA – A third-striker sex offender has been charged with grooming two young brothers after befriending their mother by speaking to the boys about masturbation with the intent to sexually gratify himself. Jeremy Gene Harryman, 37, Fullerton, is charged with four felony counts of child annoyance with prior sex convictions, one felony count of attempted lewd acts on a child under 14, and two prior strikes for 1999 convictions for child molest in Orange County and child sexual abuse in Oregon. Harryman faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison if convicted. The defendant is being held on $1 million bail and is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009, at 9:00 a.m. at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. The Department is to be determined.
Harryman is accused of gaining access to brothers John Doe #1, age 12, and John Doe #2, age 9, after befriending their mother when she was a customer at his then-workplace, Big O Tires in Orange. The defendant is accused of spending time with the victims at their home and while on vacation with them and their mother.
Harryman is accused of grooming the victims by speaking to John Doe #1 about masturbating. He is accused of trying to convince the boys to undress in front of him and taking off his own clothes to change in front of the boys. Harryman is accused of refusing to leave a restroom stall as John Doe #2 used the restroom. The defendant is also accused of attempting to touch John Doe #1’s groin region. The victims’ mother contacted police after becoming suspicious of Harryman’s relationship with her sons.
Harryman has two prior strike convictions for child molest against a young male family member in Oregon and a former neighbor’s male son in Anaheim. As in the current case, the defendant groomed his prior victims by speaking to them about masturbation. The defendant was required to register as a sex offender for both cases.
The Orange Police Department and Orange County District Attorney’s Office are asking for the public’s help in identifying potential additional victims. Anyone with additional information or who believes they have been a victim is encouraged to contact Supervising District Attorney Investigator Randy Litwin at (714) 347–8794 or Orange Police Detective Simone Mueller at (714) 744-7578.
Deputy District Attorney Heather Brown of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case.
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