News Summary
Hermelindo Flores Alejandro, a 48-year-old man, has been charged with multiple counts of sexual assault against two minors in Costa Mesa. Allegations include lewd acts and oral copulation involving children. A second suspect, Nelson Anibal Saavedra, also faces serious charges related to the assaults from 2015 to 2022. The ongoing investigations highlight concerns about the safety of minors in the community, with authorities encouraging anyone with further information to come forward.
Costa Mesa – A 48-year-old man, Hermelindo Flores Alejandro, has been charged with multiple counts of sexual assault against two minors while living in Costa Mesa with their families. Alejandro faces four counts of lewd or lascivious acts on a minor younger than 14, along with two counts of oral copulation or sexual penetration of a child 10 or younger, and a count of forcible lewd acts on a child.
According to court records, Alejandro allegedly assaulted one girl in 2017 and the other in 2013. Details surrounding his current residence have not been disclosed. In addition, a second defendant in this case, 47-year-old Nelson Anibal Saavedra, is facing serious charges, including a dozen counts of sexual assaults against both girls that allegedly occurred from 2015 to 2022.
The older of the two girls contends that she was assaulted starting at the age of 6 and continued until she was 12 years old. It was a classmate who prompted her to report the abuse. The younger sister reports she was first assaulted while in second grade at the age of 7 or 8. Their mother began dating Saavedra at the age of 23 while living in Costa Mesa. The victims’ biological father lives in Mexico and is reportedly not involved in their lives.
The assaults reportedly began while the older girl was in bed, with Saavedra allegedly coercing her not to disclose the incidents. The abuse reportedly resumed even after their mother confronted him about it, with Saavedra expressing regret and promising to stop. Witnesses claim the assaults continued while the girls were asleep and that physical force was utilized as the older girl matured.
The older girl eventually confided in a drama classmate about the assaults in December 2021, which led to a police investigation. During the investigation, Saavedra claimed that the older girl was “sexually aggressive” and denied the allegations against him. The defense attorney raised doubts about the credibility of the accusers, suggesting that witness testimony may be unreliable.
Another related case involves 37-year-old Sergio Arroyo Miralrio, who was convicted of sexually assaulting a female relative from the age of 4 to 16 in Costa Mesa. Miralrio was found guilty of multiple felony counts, including lewd acts on a minor and aggravated sexual assault.
In a broader effort to protect minors, the Costa Mesa Police are also seeking public assistance to identify more potential victims in a separate case involving 27-year-old Peter Michael Mejia. Mejia was arrested for allegedly engaging in sexual relationships with multiple underage girls via social media. He faces charges for using an underage person for obscene matter and committing lewd acts with a minor younger than 14. Authorities have indicated that Mejia would pick up his victims in his vehicle after having communicated with them through social media.
The ongoing investigations highlight ongoing concerns related to the safety of minors within the community. Authorities encourage anyone with further information or potential victim claims related to these cases to come forward, as they work towards ensuring justice and protection for vulnerable individuals.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Trial Begins for Man Accused of Sexual Assault
- My News LA: Man Convicted of Sexual Assault in Costa Mesa
- CBS News: Investigators Seeking Additional Victims
- Google Search: Costa Mesa Sexual Assault
- Patch: Man Charged with Raping Woman in Laguna Hills
- Wikipedia: Sexual Assault
- KTLA: Man Arrested for Sex Assault of Teen Girls
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sexual Assault
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
