Sexual Assault Suspect Arrested In Coachella Valley, Sheriff Seeks Other Victims

COACHELLA VALLEY, CA — A 28-year-old man suspected of engaging in sexual relations with a minor who he met on social media has been taken into custody, authorities announced Thursday.

Francisco Silva Serna Jr. was located Wednesday by Thermal Sheriff's Station Special Enforcement Team and Business District Team personnel who responded near the area of Highway 111 and Monroe Street, where he was taken into custody, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Office.

Investigators subsequently executed a search warrant at a residence in the 46000 block of Monte Vista Drive.

Sheriff's officials said that on Sept. 19, a girl was found with a marijuana/THC vape pen, prompting a school resource deputy from the Thermal Sheriff's Station to investigate. During the investigation, deputies learned that the girl had received the vape pen from a man she met on social media.

Serna was identified by investigators as the suspect. He was booked at the John Benoit Detention Center on suspicion of sexual intercourse with a minor, oral copulation of a minor, along with additional child sexual assault- related offenses, sheriff's officials said. He was being held on $1 million bail.

Anyone with information regarding the alleged sexual assault was urged to call Thermal Sheriff's Station Deputy Luis Olivares at 760-863-8990. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 760-341- 7867.