The Palm Desert Station received a notification from a YouTube group that they were planning to confront a man who had engaged in "sexually motivated communications" with a 14-year-old boy on April 25.
The call for service was generated in the 72300 Block of State Highway 111 at 3:57 p.m. as reported by Sergeant Josh Button of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.
According to Sergeant Josh Button's report, the YouTube group live-streamed their encounter with the suspect, who was identified as 40-year-old Brandon Bourgeois from Hemet. They subsequently provided the recorded conversations to the authorities.
"The group called dispatch to notify the department they would be confronting a man who worked in the area regarding the sexually motivated communications he was having with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old boy," Button reported. "The group live-streamed the confrontation on YouTube."
The influencer group was asked to respond to the Palm Desert Sheriff Station. They provided the communications between their group, who posed as the 14-year-old boy, and the man who was later identified as Brandon Bourgeois.
Palm Desert Investigations were called to the station and took over the investigation. Bourgeois was arrested and booked in jail for contacting a minor to commit a felony and attempted oral copulation with a person under 16 years of age.
According to court records cited by the Palm Desert Patch, Bourgeois was detained at the John J. Benoit Detention Center located in Indio. As of now, Bourgeois is still in custody and has been granted bail of $55,000.
Bourgeois of Hemet was charged with one felony count each of contacting a minor with intent to commit a crime and possessing matter depicting a minor in a sexual act, which he pleaded not guilty to.
In conclusion of his report, Sgt. Button urged individuals who possess any information pertaining to this case to reach out to Investigator Jose Munoz at the Palm Desert Sheriff's Station through the contact number 760-836-1600.