Santa Ana police say a teenage victim was lured through the dating app, Grindr. 59 year-old Michael Komoto and the underaged victim had communicated through the app and Komoto agreed to take the teenager shopping in exchange for “making out”, according to police. Komoto picked up the victim on April 14th, and drove him to his business in the 1300 block of East Edinger Avenue in Santa Ana where he engaged in sex acts with the teen. Komoto then took the victim shopping at South Coast Plaza, and while shopping, the victim messaged a friend and said he was scared of Komoto.
The teen’s friend picked him up and reported the crime to Santa Ana police. Detectives arrested Komoto on April 18th, and booked him on suspicion of engaging in sex acts with a minor. He was being held in lieu of $100,000 and posted bond and was released later that day, according to jail records. Santa Ana police issued a warning for parents regarding Komoto and this incident. To learn more about sexual battery, click here.
To learn more about statutory rape, click here.