Anaheim

Man Accused of Trying to Pay for Sex With 4-Year-Old Girl

A month-long investigation led to the arrest of a man accused of trying to pay for sex with a 4-year-old girl in Orange County.

The suspect was identified as 29-year-old Nicolas Ryan Castillo, of Anaheim. It was not immediately clear whether he has an attorney.

Warrants were served Wednesday morning at homes in Anaheim and Yorba Linda. Police collected computers, hard drives and other items.

Castillo had been staying with his fiancée at the Anaheim residence for the last three weeks. That residence is next door to Apple Tree daycare center. The Yorba Linda residence, which belongs to Castillo's parents, is located across the street from Bryant Ranch Elementary School.

Investigators say they have no evidence that kids at the daycare center were harmed.

A detective posed as the mother of a 4-year-old child as part of the undercover sting operation, Santa Ana police said.

His arrest culminated a month-long undercover investigation which started after a Santa Ana police informant alerted investigators to allege that Castillo approached her looking for a 4-year-old child to have sex with, Santa Ana police said. Details about the initial tip were not immediately available.

Castillo allegedly claimed he had done it in the past and wanted to speak to the mother of the child, police said. A Santa Ana detective posed as a mom and carried on a dialogue with Castillo via text and email for the past month, said Santa Ana Police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna.

"To think this predator is out there looking to have sex with 4-year-olds is not only maddening but sickening," Bertagna said.

Castillo allegedly said he was willing to pay $700 for two separate rendezvous with the fictional girl or $500 to spend the night with the child.

Castillo was arrested on suspicion of felony solicitation for sex with a minor. Police said he was headed to his job in Dana Point, where he works as a security guard.

Investigators are now looking into whether Castillo really did pay to have sex with children in the past.

Copyright CNS - City News Service
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