An Orange County orthodontist has been arrested on suspicion of years of sexual abuse of young boys.
Frank Joseph Mogavero Jr., 63, of San Clemente, is accused of sexually abusing the boy starting when he was just 4 years old, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
In 2013, Mogavelo was accused of inappropriately touching a boy while he was in Mammoth Lakes, California. Years later, in Orange County, he was accused of “repeatedly” touching the boy inappropriately between 2018 and 2020, when the boy was 11 or 12 years old.
Authorities say the victim was not Mogavero’s patient, but the DA’s office is not disclosing the boy’s relationship to Mogavero to protect his identity.
The suspect was charged with five felony counts of lewd acts on a child under 14 and one felony count of possession of child pornography.
If convicted on all charges, he could be sentenced to up to 16 years and eight months in prison. He is currently being held without bail.
Mogavero also operates offices in San Diego and Mammoth Lakes, according to court documents.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said, “Sexual abuse of innocent children is something our entire community should be outraged about, and we are working hard to continue to protect our children from the monsters that prey on them.” I will do my best,” he said.
A preliminary bail hearing is scheduled for Dec. 9.
Source link