Lake Elsinore Child Sexual Assault Suspect Extradited From Guatemala

LAKE ELSINORE, CA —A Lake Elsinore man suspected of sexually assaulting a minor under the age of 14 in 2017 was located in Guatemala, officials say.

Santos Garcia, a 51-year-old former resident of Lake Elsinore, was identified as the suspect. After a warrant was issued for Garcia's arrest, he fled to Guatemala, according to a recent news release from Sgt. Jeff Reese.

"In September 2023, Garcia was located and detained in Guatemala and was subsequently transported back to the United States, where he was handed over to investigators from the Riverside County Sheriff's Office," Reese said.

Garcia was booked into Cois Byrd Detention Center and charged with multiple felonies, including aggravated sexual assault on a minor and various other sexual assault charges involving a minor, according to jail records. He was being held on $2 million bail.

This is an ongoing investigation. Any additional information is encouraged to contact Master Investigator Deanne of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department Central Homicide Unit at 951–245–3300.

As a reminder, "Community Policing" involves partnerships between law enforcement and community members. Business owners and residents are encouraged to report criminal activity directly to law enforcement by calling Sheriff's Dispatch at 951–776–1099 or 911 if the matter is an emergency.

His next court date was scheduled for 8 a.m. Friday at the Murrieta Southwest Justice Center, and the case remains under review by the Riverside County District Attorney's Office.