OXNARD : Transient Faces Molestation Charges

The district attorney’s office on Wednesday filed 22 charges against a 25-year-old transient accused of befriending families in the Silver Strand beach area and molesting their children while baby-sitting.

The child molestation charges against Kinji Richmond involve three boys, ages 8 to 11, who allege they were molested between June and August, Deputy Dist. Atty. Dee Corona said. Additional charges may be filed against Richmond, she said, because at least three other potential victims have been identified and the investigation is continuing.

Richmond, who is being held in the Ventura County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail, is scheduled to enter a plea to the charges next Wednesday.

Corona said Richmond is a transient who stayed with various families in the county.

“He would attach to people and gain their confidence and move in with them for a while,” the prosecutor said.

Richmond was self-employed as an auto detailer, offering his services from door to door, she said.

The three victims in the criminal complaint are from different families, and each was molested while being baby-sat by Richmond, Corona said.

The charges are based on an investigation by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. A separate investigation involving other children is being conducted by the Oxnard Police Department, the prosecutor said.