Palm Desert Man Accused of Sexually Assaulting Two Women at College of Desert in Court Friday

A Palm Desert man suspected of sexually assaulting two women at College of the Desert is scheduled to be in court Friday Sept. 27.

Jesse Timothy Lara, 28, was arrested near the Palm Desert campus Sept. 17 and pleaded not guilty Sept. 19 to two misdemeanor counts of sexual battery, according to court and jail records.

He has a pre-trial hearing Friday morning at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.

Riverside County sheriff's Deputy Julio Oseguera said authorities went to COD on Sept. 17 to speak with the two alleged victims. One was allegedly assaulted by Lara on Sept. 16 and one on Sept. 12, he said.

In both cases, they were approached by Lara, then a sexual battery occurred, according to Oseguera, who said he didn't know the exact nature of the alleged assaults.

It was unclear if Lara and the women were students.

Oseguera said any other possible victims should call the sheriff's department at (760) 836-1600 or Coachella Valley Crime Stoppers at (760) 341- 7867.

Lara was being held Thursday in lieu of $25,000 bail at the county jail in Blythe, according to jail records.

Reported by City News Service