Former Desert Hot Springs Middle School Guard Faces Trial Monday

A Monday trial date was set today for a former Desert Springs Middle School security guard accused of molesting female students.

Marvin Cash, 46, is charged with one count each of committing a lewd act with a child younger than 14 and sexual battery, both felonies, and two misdemeanor counts of molesting a child under 18. Riverside County Superior Court Judge B.J. Bjork set the Monday trial date at a hearing today at Indio’s Larson Justice Center.

If convicted of either felony count, the former security guard would have to register as a sex offender.

An investigation was launched in March 2010 when several girls from the school on Two Bunch Palms Trail came forward, Desert Hot Springs police Sgt. Dan Bressler said.

One of those girls, who was 13 at the time, alleged that Cash kissed her on the lips, grabbed her breast, exposed himself to her and made her touch him inappropriately during school hours in February 2010, according to police Investigator Kris Arthur.

The girl told police that Cash twice blocked her from leaving a room after exposing himself to her, pulling on her sweatshirt at one point to prevent her exit, Arthur said in a declaration prepared in support of an arrest warrant.

Five other female students also claimed Cash told them he wanted the girls to have his child and made inappropriate comments about their bodies, according to Arthur.

Cash denied the allegations under questioning by detectives, claiming one alleged victim was angry at him because he caught her during a truancy sweep, the investigator said.

Cash has not been with the Palm Springs Unified School District since mid 2010, according to a district spokeswoman. She declined to say if he quit or was fired, citing personnel confidentiality.

He is free on a $50,000 bond, but has been barred by the court from working as a security guard while his case is pending.