Desert Hot Springs Security Guard Denies He Molested Students

A 45-year-old Desert Springs Middle School security guard has pleaded not guilty to felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from allegations that he molested several students.

Marvin Cash faces felony counts of committing a lewd act with a child under 14 and sexual battery, as well as two misdemeanor charges of annoying or molesting a child under 18.

Cash, who has denied the allegations to detectives, was arrested June 1 at his home in the 65500 block of Acoma Avenue in Desert Hot Springs, said Sgt. Daniel Bressler of the Desert Hot Springs Police Department.

He was released on $50,000 bail the next day.

The investigation began in March, when several girls from the school on Two Bunch Palms Trail in Desert Hot Springs came forward to report alleged incidents involving Cash, Bressler said.

A 13-year-old student alleged Cash kissed her on the lips, grabbed one of her breasts, exposed himself to her and made her touch him inappropriately during school in February, according to police Investigator Kris Arthur.

Cash also allegedly asked the teenager for a nude photo of herself, and told her he would pay for it, according to Arthur, who prepared a declaration in support of an arrest warrant.

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

Cash denied the allegations during an interview with detectives, claiming one alleged victim was angry with him because he caught her during a truancy sweep, Arthur wrote.

Cash was placed on paid administrative leave when police informed the Palm Springs Unified School District of the allegations at the start of the investigation.