FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — A 23-year-old man, originally from California’s Central Valley, is facing dozens of criminal charges in Oregon and Fresno County after investigators say he approached girls with offers of free foot rubs and then sexually abused and harassed them.
Cedric Valdez was arrested in January and now faces a total of 31 charges between the two states.
A 23-year-old man, originally from California’s Central Valley, is facing dozens of criminal charges in Oregon and Fresno County after investigators say he approached girls with offers of free foot rubs and then sexually abused and harassed them (FO26).
In Oregon, he is facing 25 charges, including sexual abuse and harassment.
Valdez was arrested on January 17 and is being held in Washington County Jail in Oregon. His defense lawyer wanted the judge to release Valdez, during his pre-trial hearing on Wednesday, April 15, but that was denied.
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Fourteen of the Oregon charges are for third-degree sexual abuse, five are for practicing massage without a license and four are for harassment.
Fourteen of the Oregon charges are for third-degree sexual abuse, five are for practicing massage without a license and{ } four are for harassment. In Fresno, Valdez faces six additional counts, including three counts of annoying or molesting children under 18 (FOX26).
In Fresno, he faces six additional counts, including three counts of annoying or molesting children under 18.
It was unclear when Valdez traveled between the two areas.
The Hillsboro District Attorney’s Office in Oregon said Valdez would approach girls and tell them he was a reflexology student, meaning he was learning about a therapeutic practice for stress relief.
Prosecutors said he would then offer to give them free foot rubs, lick their toes, sniff their feet and take pictures without consent.
Online commenters have said they recognize Valdez and have seen him around town.
One commenter said Valdez approached her and her sister wanting to record them for funding for his university.
Another said he stopped her to talk about practicing reflexology.
Since Valdez’s arrest, 50 women have come forward with abuse cases in Oregon, and another 50 are still unidentified, according to officials.
Authorities believe there could be more victims from California’s Central Valley.
Valdez was in court for a pre-trial hearing on Wednesday, April 15.
His defense lawyer wanted the judge to release him, but that was denied.
The attorney representing Valdez declined to comment.
If you have any information regarding Valdez and these crimes, or if you believe you may have been a victim, please call 503-629-0111 and reference Hillsboro Police Department case #25-25537.