Full Notification

DATE/TIME: April 26, 2021 / 8:30 a.m.                      *UPDATE*
 
INCIDENT:  PC 261(a)(3), Rape While Drugged
                   PC 236, False Imprisonment
                    PC 288.3(a), Arrange Meeting With Minor For Sex
 
LOCATION: 24000 Block of University Ave. Loma Linda, CA
 
SUSPECT: Joshua Lewis Blackwell-Tallent, 32 years old, resident of Loma Linda, CA
 
VICTIMS:   Confidential - four teenaged females and two adult females
 
UPDATE: May 6, 2021
During this nearly one-year investigation, Deputy Ortiz discovered Joshua Blackwell-Tallent was grooming three additional juveniles using social media platforms. Additionally, two adult females reported they met Blackwell-Tallent via online dating sites and during their communication, he scammed both women out of a substantial amount of money.
 
On April 26, 2021, Blackwell-Tallent had a preliminary hearing in San Bernardino Superior Court. A judge heard testimony from investigators and held Blackwell-Tallent to answer for several felony crimes related to the sexual abuse of the original victim and three additional victims.
 
Blackwell-Tallent remains in custody at West Valley Detention Center with bail set at $460,000. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 7, 2021.
 
Investigators believe there may be additional victims and they are urged to contact Central Station, Deputy B. Ortiz at (909)387-3545.
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SUMMARY:
On June 12, 2020 deputies assigned to Loma Linda responded to a welfare check for a missing juvenile.  Deputies received information an adult male was holding the juvenile against her will at the location.
 
Deputies contacted the suspect, Joshua Blackwell-Tallent, at the University Ave. location.  Deputies located the missing female juvenile locked in a room near Blackwell-Tallent.  Deputies obtained evidence Blackwell-Tallent groomed the juvenile via a social media platform and arranged to have the juvenile transported to the location.  Once at the location, Blackwell-Tallent held the victim against her will and drugged and raped the victim several times.
 
Blackwell-Tallent was arrested and booked at the West Valley Detention Center. 
 
We urge the public to call or text law enforcement when they see suspicious activity. Witnessed and victims of crime can call Central Station at (909) 387-3545. Callers who want to remain anonymous can call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463), or they can use www.wetip.com.
 
Refer:              Deputy B. Ortiz
 
Station:            Central Station Detective Division
 
Phone No.       909-387-3545
 
Case No.         152001043
 
JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department