DATE/TIME: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2023
INCIDENT: 67 YEAR OLD LANDERS MAN ARRESTED FOR SEX CRIMES WITH A CHILD
LOCATION: 58000 BLOCK OF BOTKIN ROAD, LANDERS
SUSPECT(S): JERRY WHEELER, 67-YEAR-OLD LANDERS RESIDENT
VICTIM(S): CONFIDENTIAL
SUMMARY: On Monday, September 18, 2023, deputies assigned to the City of Twentynine Palms responded to a call of a sex crime involving a minor child. The victim reported that a family member, Jerry Wheeler, had sexually abused them when they were nine years old.
Detectives assigned to the City of Twentynine Palms assumed the investigation and determined the crime occurred in the 58000 block of Botkin Road in Landers. During the investigation, the allegations were substantiated.
On Tuesday, October 10, 2023, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Wheeler. On Wednesday, October 11, 2023, detectives located Wheeler in the 18000 block of Corkill Road in the City of Desert Hot Springs. Wheeler was arrested without incident for the following penal code violations; 288(b)(1) Lewd Acts by Force <14, 287(c)(2)(B) Oral Copulation by Force; 289(a)(1)(A) Sexual Penetration by Object by Force. Wheeler was booked into the Morongo Basin Jail and held on a $500,000 bail.
Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact the Morongo Basin Station at 760-366-4175. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should contact the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or go to www.wetip.com.
Refer: Detective A. Stumbo/ Deputy L. Pinedo
Station: Morongo Basin Station
Phone No. 760-366-4175
Case No. 202301389
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
