A registered sex offender from Fresno has been arrested on multiple felony charges after allegedly sending explicit messages to middle school students and trying to arrange meetings for sex, authorities said.

Detectives with the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force arrested Fernando Ivan Delgadillo, 27, on Wednesday at a home in Dinuba near Grace Lane and Greene Avenue, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

The investigation began in February after a school resource officer at Sequoia Middle School reported that three female students had received explicit messages from a man on Instagram, police said.

The man also sent photos of himself that clearly showed he was an adult and was attempting to arrange sexual encounters with the minors.

Investigators identified Delgadillo as the suspect. According to authorities, he is a registered sex offender with three prior arrests for crimes against children and was first arrested in 2020 during an undercover ICAC operation called “COVID Chat Down.”

At the time of his latest alleged offenses, Delgadillo was out on bail for a 2024 case involving similar charges and had recently registered as transient, making him difficult to locate, officials said.

He was booked into Fresno County Jail on multiple felony charges, including failure to register his address as required by law. His bail was set at $65,000.

Got a Tip?

Detectives believe there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Fernando Rosario at (559) 760-6282 or Valley Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867 or www.valleycrimestoppers.org.

Tipsters may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward. Reference case #2502250334.

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