Perris Man Charged With Sexually Assaulting 10-Year-Old Girl

A Perris man was charged today with sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl he may have used to make child pornography.

William Riley Ward, 30, was expected to be arraigned this afternoon on one count each of forced oral copulation of a child 10 years or younger, lewd acts on a child under 14 and possession of child pornography.

Ward was arrested Tuesday morning at his residence in the 1800 block of River Road. Members of the county’s Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement — SAFE — team executed a search warrant at the house based on suspicions Ward was in possession of child porn, according to sheriff’s Sgt. Bruce Smith.

While investigators were at the location, they uncovered “evidence revealing … recent, repeated sexual victimization of a 10-year-old Perris- area child,” Smith alleged. “This victimization was previously unreported and unknown to law enforcement.”

Also taken into custody during the investigation was Ward’s friend, 44- year-old Gregory Lawrence Noble, who was booked on suspicion of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child.

He posted a $50,000 bond and was released from the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside on Wednesday.

Ward was being held at the jail in lieu of $1 million bail.

Smith said the child’s family has been contacted and her “safe protection from further harm in this incident has been provided for.”