Corona man is sentenced to three years in prison for picking up a 12-year-old girl from school and committing an indecent act – Press Enterprise

INDIO – A 27-year-old Corona man accused of leaving La Quinta Middle School with a then-12-year-old girl with whom he had communicated on social media was sentenced Friday after pleading guilty in September had known.

Joshua Meza previously pleaded guilty to six counts of committing a lewd act on a child under 14 years of age and one count each of kidnapping a victim under 14 years of age, contacting a minor with the intent to commit certain crimes According to court documents, he attempted to sell sexual content to children and possessed a knife or similar object at a school. He also pleaded guilty to carrying a loaded firearm in a public place.

Judge Susanne Cho sentenced Meza to three years in prison Friday at the Larson Justice Center in Indio, according to Thalia Hayden of the Riverside County District Attorney's Office. Records show the sentence also included a 10-year criminal protection order.

Thermal Sheriff's Station officers responded to La Quinta Middle School at approximately 1:00 p.m. on May 19, 2023, regarding a report of a 12-year-old girl who was picked up without her parents' consent, according to a statement in support of an elevated Bail shows filed in Meza case.

“The victim stated that she intentionally left with the suspect and admitted that she kissed and he touched her clothing. It is unknown at this time whether they had sexual intercourse,” the statement said. “I believe he is a flight risk because he is not disclosing his current address. He drove out of the town of Corona to meet a child and I believe he poses a danger to children in the community.”

When officers arrived at the school, staff gave them the suspect's license plate number, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

At 2:14 p.m., as officers searched the area, Meza's vehicle was found heading to school.

According to the department, officers searched his vehicle and found a firearm. Meza was taken into custody without further incident and the juvenile was returned to her parents.

“The investigation revealed that the juvenile was communicating with the suspect via social media,” RCSD Deputy David Aldrich said in a statement at the time. “The victim suffered no injuries during the incident.”

Meza was being held at the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio on $200,000 bail. He had no prior criminal record in Riverside County.