Suspect Arrested for Sexual Assault on a Minor 

December 5, 2025 – Riverside County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on September 19, 2025, a School Resource Deputy from the Thermal Sheriff’s Station began an investigation of a juvenile in possession of a marijuana/THC vape pen. During the course of the investigation, it was learned the juvenile obtained the vape pen from an adult male she met via social media. Through further investigation, deputies learned the adult male had engaged in sexual relations with the juvenile victim. The male suspect was later identified as Francisco Silva Serna Jr., a 28-year-old resident of Indio.

On December 3, 2025, deputies from the Thermal Sheriff’s Station’s Special Enforcement Team and Business District Team responded to the area of Highway 111 and Monroe Street, Indio, where Silva Serna Jr. was located and taken into custody without incident. Deputies then responded to a residence in the 46000 block of Monte Vista Drive, Indio, and served a search warrant related to the investigation.

Silva Serna Jr. was later transported and booked at the John Benoit Detention Center for sexual intercourse with a minor, oral copulation of a minor, and additional child sexual assault related offenses. Silva Serna Jr. is being held on a $1 million dollar bail. This is an ongoing investigation, and no further details are available at this time.

Investigators believe there may be additional victims and are asking anyone with additional information regarding this incident to contact Deputy Luis Olivares at the Thermal Sheriff’s Station at (760) 863–8990. Information can also be reported anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (760) 341-STOP (7867).

Reporting Supervisor: Sergeant Patrick Mushinskie

File # LA252620049

Source & photo: Riverside County Sheriff’s Office