Parents expect school grounds to be one of the safest places for kids.
That trust gets shaken when police say a stranger targeted people near a school and may have contacted other minors.
WHAT HAPPENED
Authorities say a man exposed himself in the parking lot of Moorpark High School on May 12 before driving away.
The incident happened around 3:38 p.m. Witnesses and the victim gave deputies a description of the suspect and a possible license plate number.
Detectives used that information and law enforcement records to identify the suspect as 40-year-old Michael Jude Dee Jr. of Lancaster.
Dee was arrested on suspicion of indecent exposure and later posted bail.
Investigators say the case did not end there.
According to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, detectives later uncovered evidence suggesting Dee had attempted to contact or had contact with several minors through different methods.
He was arrested again on a charge of contacting a minor to commit a felony.
WHAT THE EVIDENCE SHOWS
Incident reported at 3:38 p.m. on May 12, 2026.
- Location was Moorpark High School in Ventura County.
- Suspect identified as Michael Jude Dee Jr., age 40.
- Initial arrest was for indecent exposure.
- Second arrest involved allegedly contacting a minor to commit a felony.
THE BIGGER QUESTION
The concern now is whether this was an isolated event or part of a larger pattern.
Cases like this often grow as investigators review phones, messages, social media accounts, and witness reports. That is why police are asking other possible victims to come forward.
The earlier authorities learn about suspicious contact with minors, the better chance they have of stopping harmful behavior before it escalates.
WHAT HAPPENS NOW
Investigators are continuing to look into the case and are asking anyone with information to contact the Moorpark Police Department.
If additional victims come forward, prosecutors could decide to pursue further charges.
WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW
How many minors investigators believe may have been contacted?
- What methods were allegedly used to contact them?
- Will additional charges be filed as the investigation continues?
Transparency notes
Published: Jun 16, 2026. No major post-publication update has been logged.
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Sources
External source links were not provided in this article body. Our editors reference publicly available materials and update stories as new verified information arrives.