RivCo Man Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Minors He Met On Social Media: Sheriff

SAN JACINTO, CA — A 25-year-old San Jacinto man is in jail after he was accused of sexually assaulting two girls he met on social media, authorities said.

On Wednesday night, deputies arrested and booked Alex Anthony Gomez into jail after he was charged with sexual assault, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

Gomez was arrested after authorities at the San Jacinto station launched an investigation last week following an alleged sexual assault involving a teen girl who met Gomez on social media, identifying himself as "Smiley," according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities said the unidentified girl met with Gomez in person after communicating with him for an unspecified period of time. When she met the suspect, he allegedly forced himself on her.

Detectives learned about another alleged sexual assault involving Gomez over the weekend while they were investigating the first allegations, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

In both cases, the suspect identified himself to the minors as "Smiley," authorities said.

A warrant was obtained and served at his residence in the 22000 block of North San Jacinto Avenue, where Gomez was taken into custody without incident.

Gomez was booked into the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.

Bail and background information on Gomez was not immediately available.

Anyone with information was asked to contact the sheriff's department at 951-776-1099.

City News Service contributed to this report.