Man accused of molesting two girls pleads not guilty

A Coachella Valley man accused of molesting two underage girls about a decade ago pleaded not guilty today to a half-dozen felony counts.

John Williams, 53, of Thousand Palms, is facing six counts of lewd acts with children under the age of 14, with a sentence-enhancing allegation of more than one victim.

One of the alleged victims contacted law enforcement last October, and the charges — which involve crimes that allegedly occurred between 2008 and 2009 — were filed Jan. 23.

Man charged for alleged sexual assault of 2 underage girls

Williams was arrested around 5 p.m. that day by the Cathedral City Police Department on Boca Chica Road, according to jail records.

On Jan. 25, a judge granted a protective order involving three people involved in the case, court records show.

Williams, who’s being held in the Indio jail in lieu of $1 million bail, faces a possible life sentence if convicted, Riverside County District Attorney’s Office spokesman John Hall said.