D.A. says man sought in crime could be in Laguna

Authorities believe a Lake Forest man accused of sexually assaulting three girls could be in Laguna Beach, the Orange County District Attorney’s office said Tuesday.

Jesus Gomez Montes, 34, is charged with one felony count of alleged sexual intercourse with a child 10 or younger and seven felony counts of lewd acts on a child under 14, according to a press release from the D.A.’s office.

Montes is 5-foot-7 and 170 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He might be driving a 2004, gold Nissan Murano with a California license plate of: 6PWE354.

Montes could also be in Lake Forest or in Riverside County, where he has relatives, the D.A. said.

Authorities issued a $1 million warrant for his arrest.

Montes is accused of gaining access to his victims while living in at least two multi-family homes in Lake Forest from 2002 to 2005, according to the D.A.

In April, Jane Doe No. 3 told a school counselor about the alleged sexual assault 10 years earlier, the D.A. said. School officials contacted the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, which initiated an investigation.

Sheriff’s Department authorities identified two additional victims, Jane Doe No. 1 and Jane Doe No. 2 , during the investigation.

If convicted, Montes’ lifetime sex offender registration would bar him from entering county recreational areas and city parks that have passed the sex offender ordinance.

Anyone with information regarding Montes’ whereabouts or who believes they have been a victim is encouraged to contact Supervising D.A. Investigator Lou Gutierrez at (714) 347-8794 or leave an anonymous tip with Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-847-6227.

If convicted, Montes faces a maximum sentence of 130 years to life in state prison and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration, the D.A. said.