“Coachella, Calif. – On Tuesday, September 17, 2024, deputies from the Thermal Sheriff’s Station, Coachella Community Action Team assumed an investigation regarding an adult male soliciting sex from a minor through electronic communications. During the investigation, and with the assistance of the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, deputies participated in multiple conversations with the suspect through electronic communications.
During these conversations, Ramiro Favela Benitez, a 41-year-old resident of Coachella, communicated his intent to arrange to meet with a minor to engage in sexual acts with whom he believed to be a 16-year-old girl, but was actually an online undercover peace officer.
On Friday, September 20, 2024, deputies served a search warrant in the 50000 block of Suncrest Street in the city of Coachella, and Benitez was taken into custody without incident.
Benitez was booked into the John Benoit Detention Center for contacting a minor with the intent to commit specific offenses, sending harmful matter with intent to seduce a minor, and annoy or molest a child under 18 years old.
This is an ongoing investigation, and no further details will be released. Anybody with information on this case is encouraged to contact Deputy Preciado or Investigator Bugarin at the Thermal Sheriff’s Station, (760) 863–8990.
For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.”
