Behind the Badge
A registered high-risk sex offender has been arrested for allegedly exposing himself to women on at least four occasions while riding an Orange County Transportation Authority bus.
Orange County Sheriff’s Department investigators believe there may be additional victims.
OCSD deputies assigned to the OCTA Right of Way team arrested Stephen Ponte Garcia, 37, Tuesday, Oct. 18 following a three-week investigation, according to a news release Thursday.
In September, the OCTA received an anonymous tip regarding an unknown person indecently exposing himself while riding an OCTA bus. The Right of Way team launched an investigation, which included reviewing bus surveillance video.
Stephen Garcia. OCSD booking photo
During the probe, Garcia was identified as the suspect who indecently exposed himself while riding on the bus throughout north Orange County, the news release said.
Garcia would sit at the rear of the bus and indecently expose himself to female passengers, authorities allege.
At least one of the female passengers has been identified, but wishes to remain anonymous.
Garcia was on parole at the time and is registered as a high-risk sex offender.
Based on Garcia’s repeated indecent exposure incidents, deputies believe there may be additional victims.
Garcia was booked into the Orange County Jail and is ineligible for bail.
Anyone with additional information or anyone who believes they may have been a victim of Garcia is asked to call Orange County Sheriff’s Department OCTA Right of Way team at 714-265-4340 or 714-647-7000. Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227).
