ARREST BY RIVERSIDE COUNTY CHILD EXPLOITATION TEAM ENDS ALLEGED SEXUAL ABUSE OF 8-YEAR-OLD BOY
September 18, 2024
RIVERSIDE – The arrest of a 20-year-old Banning man made by the Riverside County Child Exploitation Team (RCCET) led to the end of the alleged sexual abuse of an 8-year-old victim.
John Edward Lario, DOB: 9-2-04, of Banning has been charged by the Riverside County DA’s Office and made his first court appearance on Sept. 5. His arraignment is scheduled to take place on Sept. 19, at 8:30 a.m. in Dept. B101 at the Banning Justice Center.
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.
“This investigation is a perfect example to highlight HSI Riverside’s dedication and commitment to ensuring the well-being of children,” said HSI Riverside Assistant Special Agent in Charge Christopher Bracken. “This arrest highlights HSI’s ability to coordinate with its international and state and local partners to swiftly pursue offenders and bring them to justice.”
Lario is charged with oral copulation and sexual penetration of a child under 10 (Penal Code 288.7(B)) as well as lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 (PC 288.7(B)(1)).
If convicted as currently charged, Lario faces a possible sentence of life in prison.
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.
