Reduced bail denied for accused child molester

EL CENTRO – A county Superior Court judge on Thursday denied a request to reduce the $1 million bail for Ray Valenzuela, the 48-yearold Imperial man and former police officer accused of sex crimes with a minor.

In his ruling, Judge Christopher J. Plourd cited Valenzuela’s previous 2004 conviction for a sex offense involving a minor, as well as his flight risk potential based on the lengthy prison term Valenzuela could possibly face, if convicted.

“(Plourd) based his ruling primarily on public safety,” said county Senior Deputy District Attorney Heather Trapnell, who is prosecuting the case.

On Thursday, the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office also confirmed that it is investigating the possible existence of at least one additional victim of the suspect, Lt. Jimmy Duran said.

Valenzuela was arrested Feb. 22 in El Centro following a joint investigation by the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office and the Imperial Police Department, where he had formerly been employed prior to his 2004 misdemeanor conviction for contributing to the delinquency of a minor committed for the purposes of sexual gratification.

Valenzuela is facing four felony counts in connection to his arrest, including sodomy by use of force or duress on a child under 14 years old, oral copulation by use of force or duress and forcible lewd act upon a child, which carry maximum prison sentences of up to 11, 13 and 10 years, respectively.

He also potentially faces a maximum fouryear prison term for meeting with a minor for lewd purposes, according to court documents filed in connection to his case.

As a result of Valenzuela’s 2004 conviction, he was placed on three years of probation and ordered to register as a sex offender.

Valenzuela is scheduled to return to court in Brawley on March 22 for a pretrial hearing.