ROP Teacher Arrested for Contacting a Minor with Intent to Commit a Sex Crime
DATE/TIME: June 2, 2022
INCIDENT: PC 288.3 - Contacting a Minor with the Intent to Commit a Sex Crime
LOCATION: City of Mentone
SUSPECT: LRod Jara, 49-years-old, resident of Mentone
SUMMARY:
On Friday, April 22, 2022, investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Crimes Against Children (CAC) Detail, and Central Station conducted an investigation regarding an inappropriate relationship between CRY-ROP teacher, LRod Jara, and a student. Jara is employed with Colton, Redlands, Yucaipa Regional Occupational Program CRY-ROP assigned to Redlands East Valley High School. Jara has been on administrative leave since April of 2022.
During the course of the investigation, detectives discovered Jara sent inappropriate text messages to the minor.
On Thursday, June 2, 2022, Jara was arrested for violation of California Penal Code section 288.3(a) - Contacting a Minor with the Intent to Commit a Sex Crime. He was booked in at the Central Detention Center and later released on a $50,000 bail bond.
Detectives believe there may be additional victims and are releasing Jara’s booking photograph.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Katie Merrill of the Specialized Investigations Division, Crimes Against Children Detail at (909) 387-3615. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.
Refer: Detective Katie Merrill
Station: Specialized Investigation Division - Crimes Against Children Detail
Case No. DR# 012200939 C#2022-051
Phone No. (909) 387-3615
Shannon Dicus, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
Address/Location
SBSD - Headquarters
655 E 3rd St
San Bernardino, CA 92408
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 909-387-3700