Registered Sex Offender Arrested in Hesperia Following CyberTip Investigation
HESPERIA, CA — A 21-year-old registered sex offender was arrested in Hesperia on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, following a cyber tip investigation into child sexual abuse material, also known as CSAM.
The investigation began on April 29, 2026, when Detective Jessica Gonzalez of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Specialized Investigations Division – Crimes Against Children Detail received a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding the online upload of child sexual abuse material.
Through the subsequent investigation, Detective Gonzalez identified 21-year-old Hesperia resident Manuel Romero as the suspect involved in the production of child pornography. Investigators noted that Romero is a Penal Code 290 registered sex offender. During the inquiry, officers located images depicting Romero sexually abusing a minor.
At the conclusion of the investigation, authorities arrested Romero at a residence in the 16400 block of Juniper Street in Hesperia. Officers booked Romero into the High Desert Detention Center on multiple charges, including possession of child pornography with a prior sex offense conviction, distribution of adult pornography to a minor, sodomy, production of child pornography, and possession of child pornography. He is being held in lieu of $1,000,000 bail.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department urges anyone with additional information regarding this incident to contact Detective Jessica Gonzalez at (909) 890-4904, or to submit an anonymous tip through We-Tip.
