More charges filed in molestation case

Lolita Harper

NEWPORT-MESA -- Additional child molestation charges were filed

Tuesday against a 71-year-old Costa Mesa man after officials learned of a

second alleged victim, Costa Mesa police officials announced Tuesday.

James Harper, a Mesa Verde resident, was charged with two counts of

felony child molestation after two girls informed police of separate

alleged incidents at his house on Redwood Avenue.

Harper was at Harbor Justice Center on Tuesday, but a judge postponed

his arraignment so he could find legal representation. Harper is being

held in Orange County Jail on $50,000 bail. He is due in court March 29,

when he is expected to enter a plea. If convicted, Harper could face 10

years in state prison.

Harper, who was arrested Saturday on suspicion of molesting a

12-year-old girl while she was selling candy, incurred an additional

felony charge for an alleged incident in November with an 8-year-old

girl, officials said.

The Daily Pilot has declined to identify both girls because they are

minors.

Costa Mesa Police Det. Larry Torres, the lead investigator on the

case, said officers learned of the second victim while investigating the

first allegation.

The 8-year-old girl was at Harper’s house, playing with his

grandchildren in November, when Harper allegedly molested her, said Dan

Hess, an Orange County deputy district attorney.

“We are still investigating whether it was one or two times,” Hess

said of the second victim’s alleged encounters with Harper.

Police are also still looking for other possible victims, Costa Mesa

Police Lt. Dale Birney said.

Costa Mesa police originally arrested Harper on suspicion of

committing a lewd act with a child and kidnapping, officials said.

Kidnapping charges were not filed because both girls were in Harper’s

house voluntarily, Hess said.

In the case of the 12-year-old, however, Harper was charged with

“forced molestation” because he allegedly grabbed her and would not let

her go, Hess added.

The father of the 12-year-old girl said he was shocked to hear of the

alleged molestation. His family recently moved from Riverside to get away

from gang violence and ended up dealing with this, he said.

“If I could move, I would. But I can’t afford it right now,” he said.

While he believes his daughter wholeheartedly, the father said he

would not begin wishing harm on Harper.

“He is still innocent until proven guilty by law. The law will handle

that part,” the father said. “His evil spirit is in the hands of the

Lord. There’s nothing I can do about it.”

Hilda Guyot, who baby-sits her three grandchildren at her son’s house,

which is down the street from Harper’s, said she was shocked to hear

about child molestation in such a “nice neighborhood.” She will not let

the 5- and 3-year-old children play out front without close supervision.

“I feel so bad. You don’t think of this happening so close to those

you love,” said Guyot, who has lived in Costa Mesa for 30 years. “I guess

you just never know.”

Neighbor Josh Parkins grew up in the quiet Mesa Verde neighborhood.

Parkins, 21, said Harper has lived on his street as long as he can

remember. Harper liked to garden, he said.

“I’ve never spoken to him. He always seemed like a nice enough guy,”

Parkins said.

The investigation is ongoing, police said.

Birney said parents should continue to be aware of the people their

children are around. Historically, many child molesters involve

themselves in activities that revolve around children to gain their

trust, Birney said.

Torres agreed.

Child molesters “are usually those who are in a position of trust,”

Torres said. “Someone the kids will let their guard down around.”

* Lolita Harper covers Costa Mesa. She may be reached at (949)

574-4275 or by e-mail at o7 lolita.harper@latimes.comf7 .