Molestation trial of former Mesa Verde man begins

Lolita Harper

COSTA MESA -- The trial of a 49-year-old former Mesa Verde resident

who is accused of five counts of child molestation began Tuesday at

Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach.

Melvyn Carpenter faces felony criminal charges that resulted from

allegations of lewd acts with four girls over the course of a year, Costa

Mesa Police Lt. Dale Birney said.

The names of the victims are being withheld to protect their

identities. Police did not release specific ages but confirmed they were

all younger than 18.

Birney said Carpenter faces a possible life sentence but would not

disclose the details of the case that merit such a notable punishment.

Officials in the Orange County district attorney’s office could not be

reached for comment.

Costa Mesa police became aware of the allegations against Carpenter in

February 2000. He was arrested on March 17, 2000, at his home in the 2900

block of Country Club Drive after police gathered enough information to

take action, Birney said.

Police did not disclose where the alleged crimes occurred, nor did

they reveal how investigators first heard of the allegations.

Carpenter was taken into custody at Orange County Jail and held in

lieu of of $250,000 bail. It was raised to $500,000, but Carpenter

promptly paid the bail note, Birney said.

Carpenter has been out of custody for more than two years. He has

since moved from his Mesa Verde home, Birney said, but he declined to

comment on whether he was still in the city.