Imperial man accused of attempting lewd acts with minor
Father say a stranger asked his 10-year-old daughter to join him in a restroom - News 11's Wiley Jawhary reports
IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - The father of a 10-year-old Imperial girl is speaking out after a man tried to lure his young daughter into a public restroom.
The Imperial Police Department (IPD) says it happened Monday evening at Eager Park. Fidel Ponce, the girl's father, says the suspect approached his daughter as they walked through the park. Ponce says he was quick to act.
“He goes do you want to go to the bathroom with me, and I tell him, 'What did you just say?' And at that time I told her to go with her mom," he told News 11's Wiley Jawhary.
Ponce says he was furious at the moment, but kept his composure and called the police. The man tried to escape, but Ponce followed him until officers arrived.
Officers arrested the suspect, and booked him into the Imperial County Jail on. The male has been formally charged at the Brawley Superior Courthouse and has been identified as 38-year-old Pedro Meza.
He is being charged with attempted lewd acts with a minor, attempted communication with a minor in an attempt to commit a lewd act, and resisting arrest.
The Imperial Police Department (IPD) urges residents who have children to educate them about "stranger danger".
