A 25-year-old San Jacinto man suspected of sexually assaulting two girls — and possibly others — he met during online chats was behind bars Thursday.
Alex Anthony Gomez was arrested and booked into the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning Wednesday night on suspicion of multiple sexual assault allegations. Bail information was not immediately available.
According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, last week, deputies at the sheriff’s San Jacinto station received a report of an alleged attack on a girl who had met the assailant via social media, where he identified himself as “Smiley.”
Sgt. Bryan Jauert said the teenager, whose identity was not disclosed, communicated with the suspect over an unspecified period before agreeing to meet him in person. When she did, the suspect — Gomez — allegedly forced himself on her, Jauert said.
He said that while detectives were investigating the teen’s allegations, they received word of a second alleged sexual assault perpetrated over the weekend. The circumstances were identical to what happened to the first victim.
The sergeant said the investigation soon pointed to Gomez as the alleged assailant in both instances.
A warrant was obtained and served at his residence in the 22000 block of North San Jacinto Avenue, where he was taken into custody without incident.
Jauert said detectives believe there may be additional victims lured into the same scenarios as the other two girls. Anyone with information was asked to contact the sheriff’s department at 951-776-1099.
Background information on Gomez was unavailable.