Laguna Man Arrested on Molestation Charges

A 65-year-old man was behind bars today on charges of molesting three girls younger than 14 in Laguna Niguel over a nearly 10-year period.

Catalino Avelino is charged with eight felony counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a minor, with a sentence-enhancing allegation of multiple victims.

He is accused of groping a girl’s breasts on at least two occasions between September 2006 and August of last year, according to court records.

From September 2006 through January of this year, Avelino is accused of touching the breasts and groin of a second girl and having her sit on his lap, according to court records.

From September 2006 through October of 2010, the defendant is accused of touching the groin of a third girl.

Court papers do not specify the ages of the alleged victims, other than to indicate they were younger than 14.

Avelino was arrested Thursday and released from jail because he wasn’t arraigned during the required time period, but he was re-arrested today, according to jail records.

The prosecutor who filed charges against Avelino did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

City News Service