Crime & Safety

Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Underage Girls, Palm Springs Man Seeks Bail Reduction

Jesse James Garcia Airada, 28, was arrested earlier this month following a Riverside County Sheriff's Department investigation.

PALM SPRINGS, CA — A Palm Springs man accused of sexually assaulting multiple girls whom he enticed with the promise of illegal drugs will ask a judge next week to adjust his bail so he can get out of jail.

Jesse James Garcia Airada, 28, was arrested last week following a Riverside County Sheriff's Department investigation.

Airada is charged with more than two dozen felony counts, including lewd acts on a minor, forcible rape of a minor, statutory rape, exhibiting explicit material to a child, contacting a minor for the purpose of committing a sexual offense and providing controlled substances to underage victims.

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The defendant pleaded not guilty during an arraignment Monday before Superior Court Judge Dean Benjamini, who set a bail review conference for Nov. 26 at the Larson Justice Center in Indio after Airada's public defender submitted a motion requesting that the judge consider a bond modification based on apparent lack of prior criminal history.

Airada is being held without bail at the Benoit Detention Center.

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According to sheriff's Sgt. Chris Gelinas, in May, deputies were alerted to an alleged assault involving an eastern Coachella Valley girl, whose identity was not disclosed. During the ensuing investigation, Airada was ultimately identified as the assailant.

"It was learned the suspect had contacted multiple underage females and was offering illegal substances in exchange for sex," Gelinas said. "Investigators were able to identify multiple underage female victims throughout Riverside County."

No other details were provided.

A search warrant was obtained and served on the defendant Thursday at a property in the area of Lawrence Crossley Road and Highway 111, where he was taken into custody without incident.

"Investigators believe there may be additional victims and are asking anyone with any additional information to (come forward)," Gelinas said.

There was no indication of documented prior felony convictions involving Airada.