Honk News (Riverside, CA) – Authorities have taken two individuals into custody in connection with the reported sexual abuse of a minor in Riverside.
Authorities have confirmed the identities of the individuals involved as William Thomas Trader, aged 55, and Merriam Dogillo, aged 46, as reported by the Riverside Police Department.
On January 2, authorities launched an investigation into claims regarding the prolonged sexual abuse of a minor that had reportedly taken place over several years.
The individual involved was recognized as the main suspect and taken into custody on the same day. He faced several serious allegations, including the aggravated sexual assault of a minor and engaging in lewd and lascivious acts with a child under the age of 10.
Authorities reported that Trader was a registered sex offender with a previous conviction for the sexual abuse of a minor.
Detectives have pinpointed Dogillo as an additional suspect in the ongoing investigation. Dogillo has since relocated from California. On March 6, authorities successfully tracked her down and apprehended her in New York with the assistance of U.S. Marshals.
She is currently in the process of extradition to Riverside County, where she is charged with several counts of sexual abuse involving a minor.
Read More – Ohio Mother Breaks Down, Admits to Tossing Son’s Body Into River After Attempted Abandonment
The relationship between the suspects and the child remains uncertain. The probe is ongoing, and additional information has yet to be disclosed.
“Through the meticulous work done by our investigators and METRO team, we were able to identify and arrest two individuals for horrific crimes against children,” said Captain Chad Milby, who oversees the police department’s Investigations Division. “These arrests were the result of extensive collaboration with various units within the police department, victim advocacy organizations, and child protection services. One of the primary objectives of the Riverside Police Department has always been to ensure the safety and well-being of the children involved, and we will continue to offer them every resource available to aid in their healing process.”