Man accused of sexually assaulting minor he met through social media
Originally published as a Riverside Police Department Facebook post:
“RIVERSIDE, CA – Earlier this month, detectives with the Sexual Assault – Child Abuse Unit began an investigation into allegations that a 30-year-old man met a 12-year-old girl on social media, groomed her, and then committed multiple aggravated sexual assaults against her over the past 6 months. Detectives identified the suspect as Robert Downing Scott Jr., 30-years-old of Riverside. They also learned he was convicted of unlawful sex with a minor in 2021 and currently on probation.
On Wednesday, June 22, 2022, Mr. Scott Jr. was arrested and later booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for numerous counts of child sexual abuse charges, and is being held on 3 million dollars’ bail.
This investigation and arrest is a stark reminder to parents and children about the dangers and risks associated with social media, and how easy children can become victimized by sex predators. These crimes often start when the predator forges a relationship with a young victim online then later arranges to meet and begin the ongoing sexual abuse. They will use coercion, manipulation, and threats to gain their victim’s trust.
It is important for parents to have ongoing conversations with your children about safe and appropriate online behavior. Here are a few tips to improve your child’s safety while online:
▪️ Don’t’ talk to strangers on the internet, social media, or online video gaming
▪️ Do not agree to meet anyone in person that you have met online
▪️ Don’t give out your personal information such as home address, school name, or phone number
▪️ Never send photos to strangers
▪️ Keep your passwords private except from your parents
▪️ Make sure your kids use privacy settings to restrict access to their online profiles
▪️ Do not download anything without parents’ permission
Detectives believe there may be other victims who have not yet come forward. Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation and arrest should contact Detective Casey Reid at (951) 353-7120 or CReid[AT]RiversideCA.gov.
Those wishing to remain anonymous can email RPDTips[AT]RiversideCA.gov, or download and use the Riverside Police Department’s “Atlas 1” mobile app by utilizing the “Send a Message” feature.”
