East SBV Times

On September 18, 2024, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Specialized Investigations Division, Crimes Against Children Detail, concluded an undercover chat operation resulting in the arrest of Claudio Betancourt. Betancourt, a 24-year-old resident of Victorville, was taken into custody after allegedly engaging in online communication with an undercover detective posing as a 14-year-old girl.

The investigation began when Betancourt responded to a posting on an anonymous chat site by the undercover detective. Using the username “spicy_burrito15,” Betancourt initiated and continued conversations outside the original platform. During these communications, he agreed to meet with the undercover persona for sexual purposes.

Betancourt was arrested and booked at the High Desert Detention Center in Adelanto for violations including PC 288(c)(1) Lewd Act on a Child 14 or 15 Years Old, PC 288.3(a) Contacting a Minor to Commit a Felony, and PC 288.4(b) Arranging to Meet a Minor for Lewd Purpose. His bail is set at $250,000.

Detectives suspect there may be additional victims and have released Betancourt’s photograph. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Wendy Winegar of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Crimes Against Children Detail, at (909) 890-4904. Anonymous tips can be submitted via the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or through their website at www.wetip.com.

Refer: Detective Wendy Winegar

Station: Specialized Investigations Division – Crimes Against Children Detail

Phone No.: (909) 890-4904

Case No.: 602400071

Shannon D. Dicus

Sheriff-Coroner

San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department