DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at approximately 4:00 p.m.
INCIDENT: PC 288(c)(1) – Lewd and Lascivious Acts with a Child
LOCATION: City of Hesperia
VICTIMS: Confidential Juvenile
SUSPECT: Gene Richard Griffith III, 36-years-old, Resident of Hesperia
SUMMARY: On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at approximately 4:00 p.m., detectives from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Specialized Investigations Division - Crimes Against Children Detail investigated a report of lewd and lascivious acts with a child.
Detectives identified Hesperia High School wrestling coach Gene Richard Griffith III as the suspect. On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at the conclusion of the investigation, Griffith was arrested and booked into the High Desert Detention Center in San Bernardino for violation of PC 288(c)(1) – Lewd and Lascivious acts with a Child.
Detectives believe there may be additional victims and are releasing Griffith’s booking photograph. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Victoria Twardowski of the Specialized Investigations Division, Crimes Against Children Detail at (909) 890-4904.
Callers wishing to remain anonymous should call or text “REPORT” to We-Tip at 844-909-3006. Online reporting is also available at https://mobile.catapultems.com/sbcsd/Sites.
Refer: Detective Victoria Twardowski
Station: Specialized Investigations Division – Crimes Against Children Detail
Phone No. (909) 890-4904
Case No. 602600062
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
