Crime & Safety

Updated: County Won't Pursue Sexual Charges Against Man

Marco Morales was apprehended in the area of Hawthorne Street and Palm Avenue and arrested in a sexual battery incident involving an 11-year-old boy at the South Pasadena Public Library.

Updated: L.A. County prosecutors won't pursue charges against Marco Morales, the man arrested Monday night near the South Pasadena Library on suspicion of brushing up against a child, the Pasadena Sun reported.

It's the second time the man has been suspected of inappropriate sexual conduct at the library, the paper reported.

Earlier: Morales, 34, of Los Angeles was arrested Monday night after allegedly brushing up against an 11-year-old boy in May in the bathroom of the

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Around 7:30 p.m. Monday, the alleged victim and his father were in an area of the library and saw the suspect on the street. They immediately recognized Morales from the May incident, followed him and called the police, police said. 

Morales was apprehended in the area of Hawthorne Street and Palm Avenue and arrested on suspicion of sexual battery. Police used several squad cars and a chopper to detain the suspect. 

Find out what's happening in South Pasadenawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

alleged Morales was also responsible for a second sexual battery incident that occurred this summer; however, there was not enough evidence to uphold the charge. 

"We investigated him for another unrelated case that occurred in July," said Sgt. Jim Valencia. "But the DA declined to file on that case, stating not enough evidence to proceed with the filing." 

Correction: This article originally stated the sexual battery crime occurred in March. It occurred in May. Patch regrets the error.   


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