New Zealand authorities warn officials in Southern California about child sex abuse suspect

Authorities on the other side of the world alerted their counterparts in Southern California to the alleged sexual abuse of an 8-year-old boy in Riverside County.

According to a press release issued Wednesday by the office of Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin, Homeland Security Investigations received a referral on Sept. 2 from the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs Digital Child Exploitation Team.

Officials Down Under informed HSI that a link to videos and images of child abuse material found in the country originated somewhere in Riverside County. Upon learning of this, HSI contacted the Riverside County Child Exploitation Team (RCCET), which is run by the DA’s Office.

As a result of the joint investigation, law enforcement was able to identify the suspect as 20-year-old John Edward Lario. A search warrant served at his Banning home led to the identification of the alleged victim, an 8-year-old boy, the district attorney’s office said.

“This arrest underscores HSI’s ability to work collaboratively with international, state and local partners to expeditiously prosecute offenders and bring them to justice,” said Christopher Bracken, HSI Riverside Assistant Special Agent in Charge.

Lario is accused of oral sex and sexual penetration of a child under the age of 10, as well as lewd and lascivious acts with a child under the age of 14.

If found guilty of the charges, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.