Palm Springs Man Arrested For Lewd Contact With A Minor, Additional Victims Sought: Police

PALM SPRINGS, CA — A 42-year-old Palm Springs man was arrested following a monthlong investigation into sexually explicit online conversations with a 15-year-old girl, police said Wednesday.

Robert Lloyd Simmons was booked Tuesday into the Benoit Detention Center in Indio on suspicion of contacting a minor with intent to commit a sexual offense and arranging a meeting with a minor for lewd purposes, both felonies, according to Riverside County Sheriff's Department jail records. His bail was set at $10,000 for his appearance in court on Thursday.

Officers were alerted Aug. 28 to inappropriate online conversations between Simmons and a girl who lives out of state, police said. Simmons allegedly communicated with the teen, knowing her age.

He was taken into custody without incident on Tuesday in the area of 1200 E. Palm Canyon Drive.

"The Palm Springs Police Department is continuing to examine electronic evidence related to this case and will coordinate with out-of-state authorities as needed," the department said.

Anyone with information about Simmons or possible additional victims was urged to contact Detective Gilberto Alcaraz at 760-323-8123.