header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 28
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir


Michael C. Downs

Nineteen-year-old Michael Downs of Valencia faces 29 felony counts of sex crimes with a dozen minors, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office, which filed a complaint Monday.

Special Victims Bureau Detective Rich Simmons says he began his investigation the second week of December when victims reported the crimes to unnamed school officials. By the 15th Simmons felt he had enough information to take Downs into custody at his school, Bowman High. Simmons said Downs appeared in court Monday with bail set at $1.8 million.

Seventeen of the 29 counts are for lewd acts upon a child. Those charges involve seven different girls under 14.

Ten of the counts involve four additional girls on mutliple charges of unlawful sexual intercourse, oral copulation of a person under 16 and sexual penetration by a foreign object.

Downs is being charged on one count of unlawful sexual intercourse with a twelfth victim who is also a minor.

“The age range of the victims was 12 to 16,” said Simmons. They attended local middle and high schools.

There is an additional count for sending harmful matter, which involves distributing and exhibiting harmful matter to a minor “with the intent of arousing, appealing to and gratifying the lust, passions and sexual desires of defendant(s) and of a minor, and with the intent and for the purpose of seducing a minor.”

“Harmful material can be anything lewd. It could be photos, it could be texts, it could be all sorts of stuff,” said Simmons.

According to Simmons’ investigation, Downs reportedly met his victims at the local mall and some victims were friends of friends.

“He hung out in a certain circle of girls and kind of got to know all of the girls that way,” Simmons said.

He would also use the computer.

“He used Facebook as one of his tools,” said Simmons.

On the social media website Formspring, Downs answers questions about himself and exchanges emails with girls whose profile names are similar to the victims. In the District Attorney’s complaint the victims are only identified by first name and last initial.

One question Downs, known online as Downs38, was asked:

“So who are you dating now? Another 12 year old?”

Another question:

“Glad you finally admitted you’re a pedophile, pervert. You plan on getting a 13 year old pregnant this time? Or just hanging out at the mall with junior high kids? Do you even have a job?”

Downs38 responded:

I dont (sic) hang out with any junior high kids

Is it messing up your personal life?

Yes I do :)

Downs’ relationships with minors were so well known on the site that one member allegedly created a Michael C Down (sic) Facebook page.

Downs38 responded to those members who were confused about who the page was created about:

“It was about me U idiot.”

Bayleeeboo defended Downs:

“I think it’s stupid. Yeah he’s made some bad choices, but we all do. Maybe not as bad but were still all human. People need to just drop it. They took it too far and it’s not cool or funny.”

Suncloudd posted:

“I thought it was funny at first but people started to take it to far, none the less he is a disgusting pedophile.”

The crime of lewd act upon a child is in violation of Penal Code Section 288 (a) and is described as a felony act committed by a defendant who did “willfully, unlawfully, and lewdly commit a lewd and lascivious act upon and with the body and certain parts and members thereof of the victim, a child under the age of fourteen years, with the intent of arousing, appealing to, and gratifying the lust, passions, and sexual desires of the said defendant and the said child.”

The crime of unlawful sexual intercourse is a violation of Penal Code Section 261.5(c), and is described as a felony act committed by a defendant, who engaged in an act of unlawful sexual intercourse with a the victim, a minor, not the spouse of the defendant, the minor being more than three years younger than the defendant.

The crime of oral copulation of a person under 16, is a violation of Penal Code Section 288a(b)(2), and is described as a felony committed by a defendant, who did unlawfully, being over the age of 21 years, participate in an act of oral copulation with the victim, a person under the age of sixteen years.

Simmons said he believed the stipulation of the defendant needing to be over the age of 21 was a mistake.

The crime of sexual penetration by foreign object is in violation of Penal Code Section 289(h), and is described as a felony committed by the defendant, who committed an act of sexual penetration against the victim, who was under the age of 18 years.

Downs is expected to appear in court Jan. 11. Simmons says the investigation is ongoing.

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

16 Comments

  1. It’s about time. I hated this kids because he ruined of of my good friends lives with his pedophile actions. I’m going to his trial, one way or another.

  2. i dated him. i was 14, he was 18. i’m 15 now. i can’t tell you how many times i warned him to be careful about who he dated after i stopped dating him. look who didn’t listen. i helped make the page on facebook. ugh what a disgusting human being. i tried to help, but i guess you can’t change people.

  3. FINALLY YOU GOT CAUGHT
    IN MY OPINION HE GNNA HAVE ALOT OF FUN IN PRISON HAHAHHA

  4. wow. . .thats sick bro. . .i protect my daughter from people like you.

  5. They make it sound like he raped them. They were willing little skanky girls.

  6. Special Agent Simmons noticed my facebook page :D.. glad he has been dealt with society is better off without him

  7. Sebastian ET says:

    i wanted to kill him for so long now i dont got to scvs kids will be safe now

  8. mike i have your back no matter what.

  9. Em Dubz says:

    I had nothing personal against you Mike, but you had it coming. Be safe in jail, and don’t drop the soap.

  10. Anonymous says:

    Other than a few news outlets that have twisted the story, I dont think anyone is saying he raped anyone. But he is 19 and having sex with 12-16 years olds. Skanks or not, he is the adult and it all falls on him to say NO. No one conspired against him and he wasnt forced to make the decisions he made. Girls under 18 are called jailbait for a reason! He decided to play with fire and he got burned. Now he gets to learn his leason the hard way. If he can’t make the right decisions in life while free, then his freedom deserves to be taken away so he can’t make the wrong decisions again. Quit defending the pedophile and accept that he made his own bed. Now its time for him to lie in it.

  11. He’s was super cool to me, but im glad the system got him before he could of ruin more girls lives. Im pretty sure he creeped on many

Leave a Comment


SCV NewsBreak
LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
Thursday, Mar 28, 2024
April 16: FYI Seeks Volunteers To Pair With Local Foster Youth
Local nonprofit Fostering Youth Independence is seeking “Allies” to support Santa Clarita youth who are aging out of the L.A. County foster care system.
Thursday, Mar 28, 2024
California Announces $25 Million in Awards for Youth Mental Health
To support the mental health of California's young people, the California Department of Public Health awarded $25 million to 28 tribal and community-based organizations across the state.
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector, reminds property owners that the second installment of the 2023-24 Annual Secured Property Taxes becomes  delinquent if not received by 5 p.m. Pacific Time or United States Postal Service postmarked on or before Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
County Treasurer Reminds Property Owners of April 10 Due Date
Local nonprofit Fostering Youth Independence is seeking “Allies” to support Santa Clarita youth who are aging out of the L.A. County foster care system.
April 16: FYI Seeks Volunteers To Pair With Local Foster Youth
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health today unveiled the latest L.A. County Health Survey, which gathers vital data on health behaviors, conditions, neighborhood settings, and the needs of L.A .County residents, informing future public health policies and programs.
Public Health Unveils the 2023 L.A. County Health Survey Findings
Due to the projected rain forecast, Eggstravaganza will now be held indoors at the Canyon Country Community Center beginning promptly at 10 a.m. on March 30.
March 30: Eggstravaganza Now Being Held Indoors at Canyon Country Community Center
To support the mental health of California's young people, the California Department of Public Health awarded $25 million to 28 tribal and community-based organizations across the state.
California Announces $25 Million in Awards for Youth Mental Health
The College of the Canyons Athletic Department will host a dedication ceremony to unveil the Michele Jenkins Softball Team Room in honor of the longtime board member and ardent softball program supporter’s nearly 40 years of service to the district.
April 16: COC to Host Michele Jenkins Team Room Dedication Ceremony
PFLAG Santa Clarita has announced the establishment of the Peggy and Jeff Stabile PFLAG SCV Scholarship. The scholarship will provide financial assistance to LGBTQIA+ students pursuing higher education and committed to advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights and promoting diversity and inclusion.
PFLAG SCV Announces Stabile PFLAG Scholarship
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
The first Music Jam Session at The MAIN was held on Thursday, Feb. 22 and was a hit. Come out and join in for the next one on Thursday, March 28 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
March 28: The MAIN to Host Musicians’ Jam Session
Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman of the Office of Inspector General has issued a report entitled "Tenth Report Back on Implementing Body-Worn Cameras in Los Angeles County."
Office of Inspector General Issues Latest Report on LASD Body Cams
College of the Canyons women's tennis played to a convincing 7-2 conference win over Ventura College on Moica to strengthen its potential playoff resume.
Canyons Closes Out Ventura 7-2 in Final Home Match
SCVNews.com