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Child molestation suspect groomed babysitters: OC DA

 Jason Valentine Esparaza
On April 7, Jason Valentine Esparaza, 57, was arrested by detectives in Huntington Beach, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Orange County District Attorney's Office

SANTA ANA, Calif. (KNX) – Law enforcement is seeking the public’s help in identifying additional children who may have been molested by a man who used female babysitters to get more victims.

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On April 7, Jason Valentine Esparaza, 57, was arrested by detectives in Huntington Beach after receiving an anonymous tip, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

“ During the eight-month investigation, HBPD Crimes Against Persons Unit detectives began communicating with Esparza while posing as an adult female who was babysitting a four-year-old girl,” the district attorney’s office said. “During those communications, Esparza is accused of expressing his desire to perform very specific sexual acts on the child.”

Following his arrest, Esparaza was charged with three felony counts of attempted oral copulation or sexual penetration of a child 10 years old or younger and two felony counts of attempted forcible lewd act on a child under the age of 14.

If convicted, he could be sentenced to over 16 years in prison.

He is currently being held at the Theo Lacy Facility on $1 million bail.

“Someone who preys on the innocence of children for their own sexual gratification is a monster of indescribable evil,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “To plot, to calculate, and methodically carry out sexual attacks on unconscious children is something that can only be dreamt of and carried out by the sickest of minds. Children rely on adults for their safety and security and as prosecutors we do everything we can to protect our children from adults who would harm them and ensure these monsters will never be able to harm another child again.”

The sexual assaults by Esparza are believed to have taken place over several decades. Investigators say he has ties to Huntington Beach, Long Beach, and Fullerton.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact Huntington Beach Police Department WeTip Hotline at (714) 375-5066. Anonymous tips can also be made to OC Crime Stoppers by calling (855) TIP - OCCS (1-855-847-6227).

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