Specialized Investigations Detectives Arrest Hesperia Wrestling Coach for Alleged Lewd Acts with...

Specialized Investigations Detectives Arrest Hesperia Wrestling Coach for Alleged Lewd Acts with a Child

DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at approximately 4:00 p.m.

INCIDENT: PC 288(c)(1) – Lewd and Lascivious Acts with a Child

LOCATION: City of Hesperia

VICTIMS: Confidential Juvenile

SUSPECT: Gene Richard Griffith III, 36-years-old, Resident of Hesperia

SUMMARY: On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at approximately 4:00 p.m., detectives from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Specialized Investigations Division - Crimes Against Children Detail investigated a report of lewd and lascivious acts with a child.

Detectives identified Hesperia High School wrestling coach Gene Richard Griffith III as the suspect. On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at the conclusion of the investigation, Griffith was arrested and booked into the High Desert Detention Center in San Bernardino for violation of PC 288(c)(1) – Lewd and Lascivious acts with a Child.

Detectives believe there may be additional victims and are releasing Griffith’s booking photograph. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Victoria Twardowski of the Specialized Investigations Division, 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 Victoria Twardowski

Station: Specialized Investigations Division – Crimes Against Children Detail

Phone No. (909) 890-4904

Case No. 602600062

SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department

Address/Location SBSD - Headquarters 655 E 3rd St San Bernardino, CA 92408

Contact Emergency: 9-1-1 Non-emergencies: 909-387-3700