A sex offender who gained notoriety from his appearance on the television show "To Catch A Predator" has been arrested again, this time in Orange County, California, on charges related to the sexual assault of a minor. Robert Rudy Salinas, 63, was taken into custody by Garden Grove police on February 3, following allegations that he engaged in lewd acts with a teenage girl.
According to court documents, Salinas faces multiple charges, including committing lewd acts with a minor, meeting a minor to commit lewd conduct, and contacting a minor with the intent to commit a specified offense. The alleged incident occurred on New Year’s Day, involving a victim aged between 14 and 15 years old. The police have not disclosed further details as the investigation is ongoing.
Salinas has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and his attorney has not yet commented on the case. His arrest marks a troubling continuation of a history of sexual offenses. In 2007, Salinas was caught in a sting operation while attempting to meet what he believed was a 13-year-old girl, to whom he had sent explicit messages. During that encounter, he was confronted by the show’s host, Chris Hansen, and famously remarked, “I deserve what you do to me, but I beg for your forgiveness.” He was subsequently convicted of attempting to commit lewd acts with a child under 14 and is listed on the Megan’s Law website, which tracks registered sex offenders.
The recent charges against Salinas have raised concerns among community members and law enforcement about the safety of minors and the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs for sex offenders. As the legal proceedings unfold, authorities continue to emphasize the importance of vigilance and reporting suspicious activities to protect vulnerable populations.