Perris Man Held in Molestations

A Perris man living with his mother, who often baby-sat neighborhood children, has been arrested by police on suspicion of multiple child molestations.

Officials said the investigation began when police from Perris and Lake Elsinore were contacted separately by parents who said John Omar Gonzales, 30, had molested their children.

“We have approximately four victims that have come forward, and as a result, we have information that may indicate as many as 13 victims,” said Perris Police Sgt. Shelley Kennedy-Smith. “We believe this may have been going on for 15 years.”

In early August, Kennedy-Smith said, a former girlfriend of Gonzales contacted Lake Elsinore police after her daughter said Gonzales had molested her.

Later that month, a Perris mother contacted police, saying that Gonzales had molested her daughter and son.

According to Kennedy-Smith, Gonzales moved into his mother’s home about two years ago.

“People knew her as a mother figure in the neighborhood and would ask her to watch their kids while they went to the store and things like that,” Kennedy-Smith said.

Gonzales was arrested Monday on suspicion of child molestation.

Police said they are investigating the possibility of victims in Maywood and South Gate, where Gonzales lived with relatives before moving to Perris.

Bail for Gonzales, who has no prior convictions, was set at $250,000, and he is scheduled for arraignment today in Riverside Superior Court.