Haraszewski

*927 Opinion

The prosecution charged Hubert Dymitr Haraszewski, Jr., with 23 counts of various sex crimes involving four minors (Coby, Bryan G., Nolan E, and Darrell C.) over a period of more than a decade.

The initial arrest and investigation began when a state park ranger patrolling San Onofre State Beach arrested Haraszewski on suspicion of child endangerment after observing Coby, who was then 12 years old, driving Haraszewski’s car. A detective’s warrantless search of the passenger compartment of Haraszewski’s car revealed a book on oral sex, a massager, a tub of petroleum jelly, condoms, a digital camera, and a flash (or thumb) drive. A warrantless search of the trunk revealed another thumb drive, which contained sexually suggestive folders, under the spare tire. Suspecting that Coby may have been sexually molested, the detective viewed incriminating pictures on the camera without a warrant and then gave the evidence to another detective who was interviewing Coby. Coby eventually disclosed information showing Haraszewski had sexually molested him. After the court denied his motion to suppress the evidence, Haraszewski admitted various prior conviction allegations, and the…