3 Registered Sex Offenders Arrested During Southwest RivCo Sweep

TEMECULA, CA — Three registered sex offenders were arrested Tuesday during a law enforcement sweep across Southwest Riverside County, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department announced.

The operation was conducted to ensure registered sex offenders living in the area were in compliance with their parole and probation requirements, the sheriff's department said.

Three registrants "were found in violation of their court-ordered probation terms and were arrested for the violations," according to the sheriff's department.

Joseph Edward Hernandez, 20, and Matthew Charles Lopez, 41, both of French Valley, along with Scott Allen Miller, 42, of Temecula were all booked into the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta on suspicion of probation violations.

As of Thursday afternoon, Hernandez was being held on $50,000 bail. Miller posted a $50,000 bond and was released from custody Wednesday; Lopez was released Thursday.

The sheriff's department reported that deputies from the Southwest Sheriff's Station, supported by K9 Chewie and District Attorney's Office personnel, conducted the sweep at "numerous residences."

The Southwest Sheriff's Station provides service in the city of Temecula and unincorporated areas surrounding Temecula and Murrieta.

Sex registrants are required under California Penal Code section 290 to notify authorities in local jurisdictions when and exactly where they have established residency. The law also prohibits an offender from having contact with minors, other than relatives, as well as imposing other restrictions.

Additional sweeps are planned on undisclosed dates, according to the sheriff's department.

Anyone with concerns that a registrant may be in their neighborhood and out of compliance with state law may contact the Riverside County District Attorney's Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement — SAFE — Team at 951-723-3595, or send an email message with details to reportanoffender@rivcosafe.org.

Further information on offenders is available via the state's Megan's Law web portal: www.meganslaw.ca.gov.