By Anthony Saude

Benny Zavala a 22 year old Corona resident was arrested on multiple charges relating to sexual assault of children on January 19 by Corona Police detectives.

A Corona Police Officer was visiting a local elementary school campus as part of the “Adopt-A-School” program earlier in the day. One of the school’s counselors asked if she could meet with the officer privately after he had finished speaking to the children at the event. The counselor informed the officer that a student had just reported that they had been sexually assaulted by an adult relative the night before. The officer got the information he needed from the counselor and reported it to his superiors for follow up.

The Corona Police Department and the Riverside Department of Public Social Service joined forces in a joint investigation. The investigation revealed another child-victim who is also related to Zavala.

Both of the victims reported that Zavala has molested each of them on several occasions 2 to 3 years ago as well when they were both very young. All of the incidents reported by the victims took place in the City of Corona.

Zavala was arrested on Friday January 19, 2018 at about 12:40 p.m., in the 2000 block of Lockwood Circle in the City of Corona. He was taken to Robert Presley Detention in downtown Riverside. He was booked on charges that include Sexual Intercourse with a Minor under 10-years-old, Oral Copulation of a Minor under 10-years-old, Sexual Penetration of a Minor under 10-years-old and Lewd Acts with a minor.

Bail was set at $9,375,000.00.
Due to the sensitivity of this case, state privacy laws, and the ongoing investigation, the Corona Police Department is unable to release any further details that could tend to identify the victims in this case.

If anyone has information on this case, please call Detective Daryl Sailer at 951-817-5796 or email Daryl.Sailer@CoronaCA.gov.