RIVERSIDE, CA — A Riverside man who allegedly molested four girls when they resided with him as foster children may have abused numerous other children, officials said, prompting investigators Wednesday to ask anyone with information to come forward.
Edward Sepulveda, 68, was arrested last month following a nearly year- long investigation by the Riverside Police Department's Sexual Assault-Child Abuse Unit.
Sepulveda is charged with seven counts of aggravated sexual assault of a minor and one count each of lewd acts on a child, sexual penetration of a child and statutory rape.
He pleaded not guilty during an arraignment Monday before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Jay Kiel, who scheduled a felony settlement conference for Dec. 9 at the Riverside Hall of Justice.
The defendant is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Smith Correctional Facility.
According to Detective Steve Espinosa, SACA investigators received information last September of alleged "historical sexual abuse involving a child," leading to the identification of a total of four victims, who are now adults. Their identities were not disclosed.
"The incidents ... occurred approximately 24 years ago, when the victims were children living at (Sepulveda's) residence in the 600 block of Highlander Drive in Riverside, as well as various locations in Moreno Valley," Espinosa said.
Sufficient evidence was gathered to submit the case to the District Attorney's Office, resulting in the criminal charges.
Espinosa said investigators have since confirmed that Sepulveda "fostered approximately 90 children over the years."
Police believe there are probably additional victims who have not been identified.
Anyone with relevant information was urged to contact SACA investigators at 951-353-7945.
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