Registered sex offender accused of posing as woman to lure teen girl for sex, police say

Arturo Alfred Martinez, a 42-year-old registered sex offender, was arrested Jan. 10 by Hesperia police officers. (Photo credit: Hesperia Police Department)

A Southern California man is accused of posing as a woman in an effort to lure a 17-year-old girl for sex, police said.

Arturo Alfred Martinez, a 42-year-old registered sex offender, was arrested Jan. 10 by Hesperia police officers. Invesigators said they received several complaints from females regarding Martinez, including a teenage girl who reported being "lured to his home under false pretenses."

Police said Martinez allegedly solicited women through social media and various websites using a fake name and would disguise his voice to pretend to be a woman.

Detectives said Martinez also contacted women from Adelanto, Apple Valley, Hesperia, Phelan and Victorville in an effort to lure them to his home to commit a sexual act. 

Martinez is accused of using babysitting services, cleaning services, taxi services, real estate companies and possibly other delivery types of businesses, authorities said.

Martinez was charged with contact with a minor with the intent to commit a sexual act and was being held on $500,000 bail.

Detectives said there may be additional victims, and anyone with information regarding similar incidents was asked to contact the Hesperia Sheriff's Department at 760-947-1500.