A janitor for the Riverside Unified School District is facing 19 felony charges for the alleged sexual abuse of minors, but the RUSD is declining to say much about him or the case, the Press-Enterprise reports.
The outlet said it learned of the charges against Mario Moralez Guadalupe, a 31-year-old Riverside resident, from an anonymous tip and confirmed them with court documents.
When seeking further information about him from the district, however, a spokesperson declined to provide many details beyond confirming that Guadalupe had been placed on administrative leave.
“She had little else to say about Guadalupe, declining to provide routinely released information about employees such as his title, job duties or names of the schools where he works,” the outlet reports.
A School District spokesperson also said none of their students were among the victims — investigators believe it could be as many as 21 children — though the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department declined to confirm that to the Press-Enterprise as the investigation is ongoing.
The RUSD did not immediately return KTLA’s request for comment and more information.
The Sheriff’s Department said Guadalupe pleaded not guilty to the following charges on Jan. 17:
- Four counts lewd acts on a minor younger than 14
- Four counts of oral copulation
- Four counts of sexual penetration of a minor
- Four counts of contacting a minor for sex
- One count of aggravated sexual assault on a minor
- One count of kidnap for robbery or rape
- One count of sending harmful matter to a child
He is being held in lieu of $1.22 million bail at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility. He’s next due to appear in court at the Murrieta Southwest Justice Center on March 13.
“The criminal complaint says he could face life in prison if convicted on all charges,” the Press-Enterprise reports.
