Genaro SantanaAvalos, 42 of Paso Robles was convicted of trying to lure a teenage girl for sex in a Sheriff’s Department sting operation. Submitted photo
A Paso Robles man has been convicted of trying to lure a minor into having sex, and possession of illegal drugs, after being caught in a sting operation by the Sheriff’s Department.
According to a news release from the District Attorney’s Office, on Oct. 13 a jury found Genaro SantanaAvalos, 42 of Paso Robles guilty of felony contact with a minor with intent to commit a sexual offense; felony arranging a meeting with a minor for lewd purposes and going to the meeting place; misdemeanor possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
All four offenses occurred on Dec. 12, 2024 as a result of an online Sheriff’s undercover operation. The jury got the case in the afternoon of Oct. 13 after a 7-day trial and returned its verdicts at 4 p.m. on the 14th. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 19.
The case started in December 2024 when the County Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau “took part in a multi-agency operation targeting adults who use the Internet to seek out minors for sex.
“On Dec. 12, 2024, a Sheriff’s detective had electronic communication with the defendant on a dating and ‘hook up’ website. That evening, SantanaAvalos used the name ‘Alex’ and provided his phone number.
SantanaAvalos, who was 40-years old at the time, “asked the Sheriff’s decoy to hook up and proposed getting a hotel room,” the news release said. “After he sent two sexually explicit photographs of himself, the decoy told him she was not 18 and then told him she was 15-years old.”
That apparently didn’t faze him. “SantanaAvalos replied, ‘If ur gonna cost me trouble maybe I shouldn’t go,’ but continued the conversation. He asked when the decoy’s mother would return home from work, said the meeting was ‘only going to be for a little while,’ offered to drop her back at home by 5 a.m., and told her he would head out to meet her.”
The decoy reportedly said she lived near a San Luis Obispo park and would meet him there. He drove from Paso Robles telling the decoy he would meet her at the park and be in a blue car, texting his progress as he drove south on Hwy 101. What awaited him wasn’t what he thought.
“At approximately 9:47 p.m.,” the news release said, “SantanaAvalos drove a blue car into the arranged meeting location’s parking lot, where detectives stopped and arrested him. Detectives found a condom, methamphetamine, and a methamphetamine pipe on his person.”
He tried to lie his way out of it. “In an interview with detectives, SantanaAvalos first denied talking with a 15-year old, then claimed someone else had used his phone, and then claimed he had been dropping off a friend at the park; detectives had watched him drive into the lot alone.”
His phone gave him away. “A forensic examination of his phone,” the release said, “confirmed the messages with the decoy, saved directions from Paso Robles to the San Luis Obispo park, and the photographs he sent. Laboratory testing confirmed the substance was methamphetamine.”
He still faces an aggravating circumstances trial, which he has since waived his right to a jury, and Judge Michael S. Frye will hear those allegations. He is currently out on bail and will remain so until sentencing.
SantanaAvalos faces a maximum sentence of 5-years and 6-months in State Prison and will have to register as a convicted sex offender for the rest of his life.
D.A. Dan Dow commented, “Every child deserves to grow up safe from adults who would exploit them, and that includes online predators. This defendant was told he was talking with a 15-year-old girl. He hesitated, and then he drove to meet her anyway.”
He pointed out that this time it was a detective on the line and no child was harmed. However, “real children in our community are targeted this way every day, and too often the harm is done before anyone knows. This verdict is about protecting them.”
The case is a cautionary tale for sexual predators. “Anyone who goes online looking to sexually exploit a child in San Luis Obispo County,” the D.A. said, “should understand that our office will hold them accountable.
“To parents and caregivers: talk with your children about who they communicate with online, and if you suspect a child is being exploited, report it right away. Children who come forward will be believed, supported, and protected.”
The case was investigated by the SLO County Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau, with Det. Kara Dickel as the lead investigator, assisted by Det. Justin Francis and Det. James Silverstein and Deputies Gower Slane and Kyle Reinhardt.
The case was prosecuted by Dep. D.A. Sarah Merson of the Sexual Assault Unit.
“Children who have been contacted or exploited online are never to blame,” the release said, “and help is available. Parents, caregivers, and young people who suspect a child is being sexually exploited online can report it to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline at: CyberTipline.org or phone: 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678). You are also encouraged to contact your local law enforcement agency or call 9-1-1 when it’s an emergency.
Child victims and their families can receive free, confidential support, including help through the court process, from the D.A.’s Victim Witness Assistance Center at (805) 781-5821.
