Shaman Suspected Of Sexually Assaulting Minors, More Victims Sought

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A man identified by the Riverside County Sheriff's Office as a shaman is behind bars Thursday, suspected of sexually assaulting children, and the agency believes there may be more victims.

Ricardo Isaac Flores, 59, of Rialto was apprehended at about 9 a.m. Wednesday as he returned to the United States from Mexico, jail records show. He was transported and booked into Riverside's Robert Presley Detention Center on suspicion of rape by force/fear, aggravated child sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, lewd/lascivious acts with a child under 14, and continuous sexual abuse of a child — all felonies. No bail was set for him.

The investigation into Flores began Aug. 1 when multiple victims came to the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station to report sexual assaults committed by Flores at a home in the 26000 block of Sandi Lane in Moreno Valley, according to the sheriff's office.

Investigators determined Flores was the religious leader of a shamanistic community and that he was practicing at various locations throughout the county. The alleged assaults occurred at different spots, the sheriff's office reported.

Information about the victims was not disclosed.

Shamanism is a religious practice in which a practitioner, or shaman, interacts with the spirit world through altered states of consciousness. It is practiced in many cultures and regions around the world.

Flores has no felony convictions in Riverside County, according to court records.

The Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station Investigations Bureau believes there may be additional victims. Anyone with additional information regarding the case is asked to contact Lead Investigator Acevedo at 951-486-6700.