Lake Elsinore Serial Child Sexual Assault: 22 Felony Counts Filed

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — 51-year-old man suspected of sexually assaulting a Lake Elsinore girl and escaping to Guatemala, where he was apprehended, was charged Friday with 16 felony counts of lewd acts with a child who is under 14 years old.

In addition to the 16 charges, Santos Erasmo Garcia faces four felony counts of aggravated sexual assault on a minor with force and two felony counts of aggravated sexual assault on a child, according to court records. He also faces sentence-enhancing allegations of having multiple victims.

Garcia is set to be arraigned Friday afternoon at the Southwest Justice Center. He is being held at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning on $22.1 million bail.

The suspect came under investigation in April 2017 after deputies were alerted to alleged inappropriate acts by him involving the girl, whose identity was not disclosed, according to Riverside County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Jeff Reese.

"Garcia learned about the accusations and fled to Guatemala," Reese said.

A warrant was issued for the suspect's arrest.

Earlier this month, law enforcement personnel in Guatemala, working in concert with federal and local authorities, were able to track down and arrest him without incident. He was extradited back to the U.S., where sheriff's deputies took him into custody and transported him to the Banning jail.

The relationship between Garcia and the victim, if any, was not disclosed, and additional background information on the suspect was unavailable.

Garcia has no prior convictions in Riverside County, according to court records.