TRABUCO CANYON : Man Charged in Lewd Conduct Cases

A former handyman who worked at a number of horse stables in the Trabuco Canyon area was arrested Monday for allegedly exposing himself and fondling two 12-year-old girls.

Ray Rowe, 48, of Trabuco Canyon is charged with two felony counts of lewd conduct and two misdemeanor counts of child annoyance, said Orange County Sheriff’s Lt. Dan Martini. He is being held in Orange County Jail.

Martini said the first child was allegedly molested in Tustin in 1991. While employed at the Oso Reservoir, Rowe befriended a family with a 12-year-old daughter. While on a fishing trip, the girl allegedly was fondled in Rowe’s motor home, Martini said.

A complaint was made to the Sheriff’s Department, but no charges were filed because there was a lack of evidence at the time, Martini said.

While working at a horse stable in the Trabuco Canyon area, Rowe grew close to another family, officials said. When the family’s children visited the stable to ride horses, Rowe allegedly disrobed and molested a 12-year-old, forcing her to fondle him as well, Martini said.