Sex sting nets Morongo Valley man
A Morongo Valley man is in jail tonight accused of making contact with a 12-year-old New Hampshire girl for sex and arranging to meet the girl in Palm Springs.
The Special “Crimes Against Children” unit was contacted by police in New Hampshire. Police say 20-year-old Christopher Michael Pate emailed lewd pictures and messages to the girl.
Detectives in New Hampshire worked with Palm Springs police, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Morongo Basin and San Bernardino District Attorney’s office to get an arrest warrant for Pate.
Pate arrived at a Waterpark in Palm Springs for the arranged meeting. Palm Springs police were there and arrested him.
He’s charged with contacting a minor with intent to commit sexual acts and is being held on 250-thousand dollar bail. Police believe there could be other victims.
