Shaman leader of Inland Empire religious sect is charged with rape, lewd acts

City News Service

Redlands Daily Facts

August 9, 2024

The shaman leader of an Inland Empire religious sect accused of sexually assaulting girls was charged Friday, Aug. 9, with forcible rape and more than a half-dozen other felony counts.

Ricardo Isaac Flores, 59, of Rialto was arrested Wednesday, Aug. 7, following a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department investigation that began last week.

Along with rape, Flores is charged with two counts each of lewd acts on a child and penetration of a minor under duress or fear, as well as one count each of penetration with a foreign object and aggravated sexual assault of a child.

Flores was being held without the possibility of bail at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.

Sheriff’s Sgt. James Merrill said that an investigation into Flores’ alleged offenses began at the start of the month, when more than one victim appeared at the sheriff’s Moreno Valley station and said they had been victimized at a home in the 26000 block of Sandi Lane in that community.

Detectives confirmed alleged assaults occurred not only at the Sandi Lane property, but “locations throughout the county,” Merrill said.

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Flores had access to the alleged victims as a result of his being a religious leader, the sergeant said.

The specific sect was not identified by authorities.

Flores has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.

Originally Published: August 9, 2024 at 1:02 p.m.

https://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/2024/08/09/shaman-of-inland-empire-religious-sect-is-charged-with-rape-lewd-acts/