A Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton was in custody Thursday for allegedly having sex with a 12-year-old Santa Maria girl he met through an Internet chat room.
Dario Ambriz, 23, allegedly traveled to Santa Maria to meet the girl he had communicated with on-line for about three months, said Sgt. Craig Ritz of the Santa Maria Police Department.
During a Dec. 10 visit to Santa Maria, the two met and had sex, Ritz said, adding that the man allegedly knew the girl was underage.
Afterward, Ambriz returned to his home at Camp Pendleton north of San Diego, he said.
The victim's mother learned of the incident several days later and notified police, Ritz said.
On Wednesday, detectives served a search warrant at Camp Pendleton and arrested Ambriz on suspicion of committing lewd acts with a child, Ralston said.
Ambriz, a native of Long Beach, was taken to Santa Barbara County Jail and booked on $250,000 bail, Ralston said.
Criminal charges in the case may be filed today, said Senior Deputy District Attorney Mag Nicola.
Ambriz, a lance corporal with five years service in the Marines, may be court marshaled after county officials conclude their prosecution of him, Ritz said.
* Staff writer Quintin Cushner can be reached at 739-2217 or by e-mail at
qcushner@pulitzer.net.
Dec. 17, 2004
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