Hesperia Man Arrested on Child Sex Crimes after the Sheriff's Crimes Against Children Detail Receives Cyber Tip
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, August 18, 2026 / 7:30 A.M.
INCIDENT: PC 311.11(b) Possession of Child Pornography w/a Prior Sex Offense Conviction PC 288.2(a)(2) Distribution of Adult Pornography to a Minor PC 286 Sodomy PC 311.1(a) Production of Child Pornography PC 311.11(a) Possession of Child Pornography
LOCATION: 1600 block of Juniper Street, Hesperia, CA 92345
VICTIM: State of California
SUSPECT: Manuel Romero, Age 21, Resident of Hesperia
SUMMARY: On April 29, 2026, Detective Jessica Gonzalez from the Specialized Investigations Division – Crimes Against Children Detail received a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) concerning the upload of child sexual abuse material.
Through investigation, Detective Gonzalez identified Manuel Romero as the suspect in the production of child pornography. Romero is a PC 290 registered sex offender. During the investigation, images were located of Romero sexually abusing a minor. At the conclusion of the investigation, Romero was arrested and booked at the High Desert Detention Center in violation of PC 311.11(b) Possession of Child Pornography w/a Prior Sex Offense Conviction, PC 288.2(a)(2) Distribution of Adult Pornography to a Minor, PC 286 Sodomy, PC 311.1(a) Production of Child Pornography, and PC 311.11(a) Possession of Child Pornography. He is being held in lieu of $1,000,000 bail.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Jessica Gonzalez of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Crimes Against Children Detail at (909) 890-4904. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should call or text “REPORT” to We-Tip at 844-909-3006. Online reporting is also available at: https://mobile.catapultems.com/sbcsd/Sites
Refer: Detective Jessica Gonzalez
Station: Specialized Investigations – Crimes Against Children Detail
Phone No. (909) 890-4904
Case No. 602600097
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department