Media Contact: Sarah Ardalani, Public Information Officer, 213-257-2000, SArdalani@da.lacounty.gov
July 26, 2016
Claremont Man Charged with Molesting Child in City of Industry
A 45-year-old man was charged today with inappropriately touching a boy in a restroom at the Puente Hills Mall, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced.
Richard Matthew Camarena (dob 1/31/71) of Claremont has been charged with a felony count of lewd act upon a child in case KA113089. (Editor’s Note – Camarena works for Downtown Disney, according to the L.A. Times).The defendant is scheduled to be arraigned today in Department N of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Pomona Branch. Prosecutors will ask that bail be set at $100,000.
Prosecutors said on July 8 a nine-year-old boy visited a movie theatre with his family in the City of Industry. At one point, the child went to the restroom in the mall. As the boy was in the locked stall, he allegedly saw the stall door wiggled open and Camarena entered.
The defendant then allegedly inappropriately touched the victim, prosecutors added. The boy reportedly struggled with Camaraena and the defendant left the restroom, prosecutors said.
The victim immediately alerted his family about what occurred and they subsequently contacted law enforcement.
Camarena was identified and arrested in connection with the crime on July 23, according to prosecutors.
If convicted as charged, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of eight years in state prison.
The case is being investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
About the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office
Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey leads the largest local prosecutorial office in the nation. Her staff of nearly 1,000 attorneys, 300 investigators and 800 support staff members is dedicated to protecting our community through the fair and ethical pursuit of justice and the safeguarding of crime victims’ rights.