Bail was increased ten-fold for a Temecula man accused of preying on young boys via the Internet and molesting at least one of them.
Sky Jesus Barrera, 30, was arrested earlier this month following a Riverside County sheriff’s investigation resulting from the defendant’s alleged illicit contact with the victims, none of whom were identified.
Barrera is charged with lewd acts on a child under 14 years old and possession of child pornography.
During a bail modification hearing requested by the District Attorney’s Office, prosecutors successfully argued that Barrera’s $85,000 bond requirement was too low, prompting Superior Court Judge Mark Mandio to increase it to $1 million.
Mandio scheduled a felony settlement conference for April 7 at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta. Barrera is being held at the Indio Jail.
According to sheriff’s Sgt. Steve Fredericks, detectives initiated an investigation into the defendant last month, allegedly uncovering evidence that he had been communicating with boys online.
One of the youths was allegedly sexually assaulted by the defendant in January, according to court documents.
Detectives seized Barrera’s computers during a March 1 search of his home in the 42000 block of Veneto Road. Fredericks alleged that a forensic examination of the hardware “revealed numerous videos and images, as well as video conversations between Barrera and young boys.”
Investigators are still attempting to confirm the identities of some of the alleged victims.
Barrera has no documented prior felony convictions.
–City News Service