Man accused of sex assault of minors at religious gatherings – NBC Los Angeles

Detectives in San Bernardino County are investigating a man who may have sexually assaulted children over several years at a Yucca Valley home.

Julio Cesar Vega Medina was named a suspect in three sexual assault cases with victims’ ages ranging from 5 to 14. 

Some of the alleged sexual assaults occurred at a private residence where Medina played a role in religious gatherings, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said.

The sheriff’s department did not say what the “religious gatherings” entailed.

As investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department served a search warrant at Medina’s home, they discovered evidence linking him to a 2012 sexual assault of a minor in the city of Gardena, the sheriff’s department said. The officials also learned there was an active felony warrant out for Medina’s arrest in connection with the 2012 case.

Authorities believe there may be more victims and ask people to come forward if they were victimized by Medina or had information about him. Medina used several alias, including Julio Calzada-Vega, Julio Calzada, Julio Vega Calzada, Julio Medina, Julio Cesar Vega and Julio Cesar Vega Medina.

Medina Tuesday was being held without bail at the Morongto Basin jail. Gardena police also placed a hold on him for their own investigation into lewd acts with a minor sexual and assault of a minor,

Any additional victims or anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact Detective Tyler A. Bengard or Detective David Rodriguez of the Morongo Basin Station at (760) 366-4175.