Man arrested on suspicion of meeting minor for sex in Temecula

TEMECULA, CA – A 46-year-old Homeland man was arrested on suspicion of sending harmful material to a minor, contacting a minor for sexual purposes and arranging a meeting with a minor for sexual purposes, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department announced Sunday.

Deputies responded to Nicolas Road Park at 39955 Nicolas Road in Temecula at 4:25 p.m. Friday regarding a tip that an adult was meeting with a minor for sexual purposes, authorities said. On arrival, the deputies were met by a crowd of approximately 20 young people, who allegedly recorded the meeting.

Deputies arrested the suspect, identified as William Vandenbush.

The sheriff’s department strongly discouraged residents from conducting their own undercover investigations and arranging to meet with potential suspects, saying the actions unnecessarily threatened the safety of anyone near the park.

Anyone with additional information about the case was encouraged to contact Detective Alissa Morris or Deputy Kevin Au at 951-696-3000.