Community Corner

Man Accused of Pimping 17-Year-Old Loma Linda Girl in Redlands, Where She Was Sexually Assaulted

A man was behind bars Tuesday and accused of false imprisonment, pimping and pandering for allegedly arranging for men to have sex with a 17-year-old Loma Linda girl in a Redlands motel, a city spokesman said.

Wilbert Andres Mancia-Mejia, 31, of Colton, was held June 18 at Central Detention Center on $400,000 bail, according to inmate records. He was arrested early June 2 at Motel 7-West, 1260 Alabama St.

Police were trying to identify a second man who allegedly sexually assaulted the girl, and they are seeking other potential victims, Redlands spokesman Carl Baker said.

According to police, Mancia-Mejia portrayed himself online as 17-year-old "Albert Mann" when he met the girl through a web chat group, Baker said. Mancia-Mejia then contacted the girl on another social networking site, and the two began a sexual relationship.

"Mancia-Mejia later posted compromising photos of the girl along with advertisements for sex on Craigs List," Baker said

On May 30, Mancia-Mejia rented a motel room in Redlands, Baker said. Mancia-Mejia was in his car in the motel parking lot while an unidentified man went into the motel room and sexually assaulted the girl.

"The suspect told the girl to wait in the room for five minutes and then left," Baker said. "After the girl told Mancia-Mejia about the assault he took her home."

The girl reported the assault to police and Mancia-Mejia was arrested June 2, according to inmate records.

Anyone with more info was urged to call Detective Natasha Crawford at (909) 798-7623 or Redlands Police Dispatch at (909) 798-7681. Anonymous tipsters can text 274637 using the keyword "REDTIP."


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