Michael Anthony Byrne
A Santa Clarita Valley man is accused of sex crimes for allegedly soliciting and engaging in sexual conduct with a 15-year-old girl he met online, officials said Wednesday.
Michael Anthony Byrne, 23, of Canyon Country, was arraigned Wednesday afternoon for five counts — meeting a minor for lewd behavior, two counts of oral copulation with a minor under 16 years of age, sexual penetration by a foreign object and unlawful sexual conduct.
Byrne pleaded not guilty in a San Fernando courtroom Wednesday, and he’s due back in court Dec. 5.
Detectives suspect he used a social media app called Whisper to meet a 15-year-old Santa Clarita girl, officials said. The two then allegedly engaged in a sexual relationship. The crimes happened on or between Aug. 1-16, according to the complaint.
He was arrested Monday at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station after reportedly turning himself in, according to Sgt. Brian Hudson of the Special Victims Bureau of the Sheriff’s Department.
If convicted of all charges, Byrne faces a maximum of seven years in state prison, according to officials with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. The charges are much more severe if the alleged victim is age 14 or under, according to state law.
He’s being held at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station in lieu of $175,000 bail, according to Sheriff’s Station arrest records.
No other information is available at this time, as the alleged crimes are considered part of an active investigation, Hudson said.
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59 Comments
Dude looks way over 23
Dude looks way over 23
Dude looks way over 23
Office Depot employee?
Office Depot employee?
Office Depot employee?
Nope
Guitar center?
Guitar center?
Guitar center?
This happens in Scv everyday when I was 17 a man in his twenties also hurt me! And justice is hardly made with girls or women sexually hurt in anyway ! The window for proof is so small only the bravest and most courageous step forth!
Scv is not what it once was. I’m moving
This happens in Scv everyday when I was 17 a man in his twenties also hurt me! And justice is hardly made with girls or women sexually hurt in anyway ! The window for proof is so small only the bravest and most courageous step forth!
Scv is not what it once was. I’m moving
This happens in Scv everyday when I was 17 a man in his twenties also hurt me! And justice is hardly made with girls or women sexually hurt in anyway ! The window for proof is so small only the bravest and most courageous step forth!
Scv is not what it once was. I’m moving
Another pervert off the streets great job sheriffs!
Nothing better than your face being plastered here for everyone to see. Dont make stupid choices
I’m curious why she agreed to meet him?
What difference does that make? If Your response is leading to somwhere is shouldn’t be you should stay away. She’s 15.
Obviously the difference is what are her parents teaching her? Why did she continue talking to the man. What was going on between them. It’s a very serious question actually. Are there other victims of this man now? What was he saying to convince the girl to meet up with him.
I’m curious why she agreed to meet him?
What difference does that make? If Your response is leading to somwhere is shouldn’t be you should stay away. She’s 15.
Obviously the difference is what are her parents teaching her? Why did she continue talking to the man. What was going on between them. It’s a very serious question actually. Are there other victims of this man now? What was he saying to convince the girl to meet up with him.
Or maybe she said she was older. Hm?
Your last question should’ve been your first.
So we don’t like facts? Only partial facts? To get both sides is fact finding. Take the emotion out of it and read the questions again and maybe you will grasp what I’m saying. There is a very large issue at hand. What would make a 15 year old girl go and meet a 23 year old man? To get that answer you would need to fact find. There is nothing wrong with any of my questions, stop acting like I’m “victim blaming”. Seeking answers to questions is not victim blaming. What we know is they met online talked and met up, how did that transpire?
Shaudi, after reading a comment posted by you in the AV motorcycle accident I have come to the conclusion that you are just a troll going from article to article making dumb statements. Let people have an opinion. You don’t need to go around with your snarky remarks.
I was curious about the same thing. I guess we never know all the facts right away and that’s what makes us curious. Some people need a chill pill!
I was curious about the same thing. I guess we never know all the facts right away and that’s what makes us curious. Some people need a chill pill!
Well, she is liable as well, for,being stupid.
Well, she is liable as well, for,being stupid.
She was still online making passes.
yeah, responsibility matters. why is the girl and her parents not mentioned? where were the parents in the first place?
Well, she is liable as well, for,being stupid.
Issues
Issues
Issues
Get this man some help cause that’s what he needs. Shame on anyone that puts this man behind bars without help.
Get this man some help cause that’s what he needs. Shame on anyone that puts this man behind bars without help.
Get this man some help cause that’s what he needs. Shame on anyone that puts this man behind bars without help.
There is no help for sex offense once he commits there is a chance for jail but in a protective custody for from other inmates but if he is found guilty then he’ll register as a sex offender for dumbass action
And he is a flippin idiot.
Creep
The pedo stache says it all.
Help !!!!! Help !!!! He needs to be castrated there is his help.
I have 2 girls and I promise that I’ll do to them whatever they do to my girls !!!
F-ck him and his help
Guys will lie to get a girl
Yes mark I agree…why not they do it in other countries and they are fine with it.
I hope I see him around town.
stupid pig!!!
When I was 15 my boyfriend was 19
When I was 17 my next boyfriend was 23
I don’t know if this guy is a pervert or not I am just saying that girls date and marry guys older than themselves most of the time.
I do wonder if he knew she was 15. When I was a teen I looked much older and my best friend was a couple years older so the guys who knew her might have thought I was older too. She may have let him think she was older.
I don’t like this online hooking up thing that teens are doing these days. At least everyone I met was through friends and were not strangers. She could get into dangerous situations like this.
Parents don’t always know what their kids are doing. They may skip school or say they are staying at a friend’s, or even meet after school before going home.
I am glad my kids are grown.
Read the whole story people Geez. …..and shame on her for getting herself into a stupid situation like that. This happens all the time
Yes…the law says she’s still a minor not of consenting age.
It sounds like maybe the parents found some messages or something and called the police. The guy knew he was being looked for and turned himself in.
She still may have lied about her age. Girls do all the time. This guy may have thought she was 18.
I have a friend who has dated online. She has met some real creeps. I don’t think it is a safe way to find someone. Stay off the internet dating sites!
Adults need to stay off the sites too, not just teens. Very dangerous.