One Year Ago Today (January 11, 2022)…A Blythe man accused of sexually assaulting a child waived his right to a preliminary hearing and was ordered to stand trial on the charges.
Kenneth Ray Carlton, 57, was arrested in October on suspicion of the alleged sexual assault, according to Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Mike McTigue.
The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office said Carlton has been charged with two felony counts of engaging in oral copulation or sexual penetration with a child under 10, as well as one felony count each of committing lewd acts with a child under 14 with force, being a convicted felon owning a firearm and possessing ammunition when prohibited.
Carlton was scheduled to appear on Tuesday for his preliminary hearing at the Blythe Courthouse, but waived his right to the process. At the hearing, an additional charge of committing lewd acts with a child under 14 with force — for the same victim — was added and he was scheduled for a post-preliminary hearing on Jan. 26.
Carlton was being held at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning in lieu of $1 million bail.
Deputies received a report at 8:49 a.m. Oct. 14 of a sexual assault on a child in the 17000 block of Palowalla Road, according to McTigue.
Deputies spoke with witnesses at the residence and they identified the suspect as Carlton, McTigue said.
Carlton’s vehicle was later located in the 14000 block of Neighbors Boulevard, and deputies followed it to a nearby gas station and detained Carlton without incident, authorities said.