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Date Posted / Updated: Home Press Release Index
RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
Sheriff Stanley Sniff
Palm Desert Station - Palm Desert Police
PRESS RELEASE.
Date/Time Written: October 28, 2009 / 1400 hours Type of Incident: Failure to Disclose Sex Offender Status (290.95 (a) PC)
Date/Time of Incident: October 19, 2009 / 1000 hours Location(s) of Incident: Palm Desert High School Reporting Officer: Sgt. Dennis Gutierrez – Public Information Officer File Number: SA092930002 Details:
On October 19, 2009, the Palm Desert Police Department and Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement team (S.A.F.E.) received information from a concerned citizen regarding a sex offender registrant associating with student athletes at Palm Desert High School. The report alleged that Ronald Nieto (50 years from La Quinta), the husband of the girl’s varsity softball team coach, had been associating with students in violation of sex registrant laws.
Investigators conducted a comprehensive investigation regarding the allegations over several days. Interviews were conducted with numerous students, parents, school administrators and faculty. During the course of this investigation, NO evidence has been uncovered to indicate that any inappropriate contact has occurred between Nieto and any student. Investigators did, however, discover sufficient evidence to believe that Nieto had violated several sex offender registration laws regarding his association with the Palm Desert High School team.
A criminal complaint was filed with the District Attorney’s office alleging Ronald Nieto violated the following offenses (all misdemeanors):
- 290.95 (a) PC – Failure to Disclose Sex Offender Status
- 290.95 (c) PC – Sex Registrant working with minors as an employee or volunteer
- 626.81 (a) PC – On School Campus without permission from School Administrator
On October 26, 2009, an arrest warrant was issued for Nieto’s arrest for the above offenses. On October 27, 2009, Nieto turned himself in to authorities, posted bail and was released pending a December 3, 2009, court arraignment. He is currently out on bail.
The Desert Sands Unified School District administration is conducting its own internal investigation into the matter.
Anyone with additional information regarding this case may contact S.A.F.E. Sr. Investigator Carren Robinson at (760) 836-1600. Information may also be reported anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (760) 341-STOP.
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