RIVERSIDE COUNTY CHILD EXPLOITATION TEAM SEEKS PUBLIC’S HELP IN IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL VICTIMS IN CHARGED CASE
October 4, 2024
RIVERSIDE – Investigators with the Riverside County Child Exploitation Team (RCCET) believe there may be more victims of a Banning man arrested last month and are seeking the public’s help in identifying them.
John Edward Lario, DOB: 9-2-04, has been charged by the Riverside County DA’s Office and is scheduled for a felony settlement conference on Dec. 4, in Dept. B101 at the Banning Justice Center.
As the investigation into Lario continues, RCCET investigators are asking for the public’s help in identifying and locating any other possible victims. They ask anyone with information to call the nationwide, toll-free RCCET Hotline at (866) 723-3595.
On Sept. 2, 2024, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) received a referral originating from New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs, Digital Child Exploitation Team, indicating that a link containing videos and images of child sexual abuse materials originated from Riverside County. HSI special agents then contacted RCCET, which is led by the DA’s Office, and a joint investigation began, resulting in the arrest of Lario. A search warrant served at Lario’s residence led to the identity of the alleged victim, an 8-year-old boy.
Lario is charged with sexual penetration or oral copulation of a child under 10, lewd act with a child under 14, using a minor to engage in sexual conduct for purposes of producing data or images of the conduct, and inflicting unjustifiable pain or mental suffering on a minor.
If convicted as currently charged, Lario faces a possible sentence of life in prison. He remains in custody and is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
The case, BAF2400960, is being prosecuted by Barrett Von Esch of the DA’s Sexual Assault Child Abuse Unit. RCCET is an affiliate of the San Diego Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force.
RCCET is led by the DA’s Bureau of Investigation and works in partnership with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, Beaumont, Blythe, Desert Hot Springs, Menifee, Murrieta, and Riverside Police Departments, the California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation, FBI, Inland Regional Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and U.S. Marshals Service.
