Russell New is facing charges of trespassing and indecent exposure after he was arrested outside Esther Walter Elementary School for allegedly exposing himself in front of children and their parents.
"Three parents came running into the school office, stated there was a very tall man who had his pants down and was touching himself in a walkway adjacent to the elementary school," said Jim Amormino with the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
Authorities allege the 32-year-old Stanton resident had been on campus on Monday at 9 a.m. A janitor caught him trying to get into a school bathroom. He was ordered to leave.
"The scary part is he tried to get in the bathroom on Monday. Again, don't know what his intentions are, don't know if his actions would have escalated or not," said Amormino.
New allegedly returned that same day. Some parents claim he was touching himself through his clothes. Deputies were called, but he was gone by the time they arrived.
Investigators are trying to determine if New is the same man who exposed himself to several boys -- some as young as 5 years old -- in another part of Stanton on Sunday.
"The boys told the sheriff's department that this very tall man riding a black bicycle was observed pulling his pants up. They did see his private parts," said Amormino.
The school principal notified parents yesterday to reassure them their children are safe.
"I told them briefly that it was ok, that an arrest had been made, and the message was delivered in both English and Spanish," said Elizabeth Nordyke, principal of Esther Walter School.
New remains in custody on $50,000 bail. He is expected to make a court appearance Friday.
Authorities are concerned that there may be other victims. Anyone with information is asked to call Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.
