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A sex offender suspected of posing as a minor to meet underage girls for sex is in custody but investigators believe there may be additional victims.

Deputies took a lewd acts report against Rancho Cucamonga resident Joaquin Cazares in December 2023 and learned he was a registered sex offender already in custody on an unrelated charge in Los Angeles County.

Joaquin Cazares is seen in an image provided by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department on March 1, 2024.
Joaquin Cazares is seen in an image provided by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department on March 1, 2024.

“The investigation revealed Cazares was posing as a juvenile male on social media and meeting female minors with the intent of engaging in sexual activity,” the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department stated in a news release Friday.

A warrant was issued against Cazares once detectives substantiated the lewd acts allegations, according to the release.

“Based on the information collected, detectives believed there was a possibility of additional victims and over a two-month period, they identified multiple other victims,” the Sherrif’s Department stated.

Investigators also released Cazares’ photograph and his Instagram username, joaquinlmao, to help any unidentified victims come forward.

Cazares remains in custody in L.A. County but will be transported to S.B. County upon completion of his commitment, the news release stated.

Anyone who may have been a victim, or has information regarding Cazares was asked to contact Detective T. Strand at 909-477-2800. Those who prefer to remain anonymous can call the We-Tip Hotline at 800-782-7463 or use the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.