A 35-year-old man from California is in custody after reportedly creating a false social media profile to impersonate an 18-year-old in order to connect with a teenage girl. According to police, when the two arranged to meet in person, he reportedly compelled her into his truck and drove her to a “secluded orchard” where he assaulted her.
Edgar Perez Medina has been charged with serious offenses, including kidnapping with intent to commit rape, communicating with a minor for sexual purposes, arranging a meeting with a minor for sexual acts, and possession of child pornography, according to a press release from the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office.
A 16-year-old girl began interacting with Medina through his fraudulent social media profile on November 9, as reported by law enforcement. The following day, they planned to gather close to her residence in south Stanislaus County, located not far from the Bay Area. According to police, Medina arrived in his car and reportedly insisted that she enter.
“He then drove to a secluded orchard, where he violently sexually assaulted the victim,” deputies said.
Following the attack, Medina took her to the outskirts of Turlock and left her there. The girl informed deputies about the assault, who promptly identified Medina as a suspect. Investigators discovered that Medina is a registered sex offender. Documents indicate that he faced a conviction for an offense strikingly akin to the one he was currently charged in 2017.
Medina was found guilty of attempting to engage in sexual activity with a minor in Merced County. While specifics are still pending, the conviction has resulted in his permanent placement on the Golden State’s sexual offender registry. California’s recidivism scale classified Medina as having a “average risk” of reoffending with a new sex crime.
After identifying him as a suspect, Stanislaus County detectives secured a warrant to search his residence. Deputies reported the discovery of child sexual abusive material at the residence. Authorities have taken possession of his vehicle.
Medina is currently held at the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center with a bail set at $4.8 million.