Police arrested a 49-year-old man Friday on suspicion of making lewd and obscene gestures to girls in the area of downtown Moorpark.
The Moorpark man was annoying 9- to 14-year-old girls as they walked to a bus loading area at Flory Elementary School, officials said.
Moorpark school resource officers and police detectives investigated for two weeks and found at least seven people who identified the man as the suspect.
The man was arrested and cited with misdemeanor child annoyance and released the same day.
There are two primary types of lewd conduct charges: engaging in lewd conduct and soliciting another to engage in lewd conduct. Lewd may be defined as indecent or sexual in an offensive way. Engaging in sexual activity in a public place constitutes most lewd conduct charges, such as public masturbation, oral sex and actual sexual intercourse. Indecent exposure may also be considered a form of lewd conduct. Lewd conduct is a misdemeanor offense that may be punishable by up to 12 months in county jail. It is typically not charged as a felony.
If you or someone you know is facing lewd conduct or other sex crime charges, you need a criminal defense lawyer. Ventura County Criminal Defense Attorney
Robert Helfend has over 20 years of experience and can build an aggressive defense on your behalf.
Contact his law office today for a free initial consultation.