Alleged Palm Desert child molester to stand trial

A man suspected of child molestation will stand trial on one felony charge of a lewd act on a minor, a judge ruled today.

Scott Russell Dugan, 32, was arrested on May 30 on Highway 111 in Palm Desert and was arraigned at the Larson Justice Center the next week on felony charges of engaging in sexual intercourse with a child under 10, oral copulation or sexual penetration of a child and a lewd and lascivious act with a child under 14.

At a preliminary hearing on Friday, Judge Edward Forstenzer held Dugan to answer on the third count but threw out the first two counts, ruling there was not enough evidence for him to stand trial for those charges.

In a declaration in support of an arrest warrant filed in May, Palm Springs police Detective Steven Grissom said a woman reported to police that her daughter was being molested by a relative.

A forensic interviewer at the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center said the victim reported that Dugan had touched her inappropriately on several occasions at his home.

A criminal complaint filed the same day as Dugan’s arrest alleges the offenses took place between last October and March of this year.

Dugan remains in custody on $2 million bail.

Dugan is due back in court for a post-preliminary hearing arraignment on Aug. 18.