Apple Valley Man Arrested For Allegedly Molesting Children In Exchange For Gifts

APPLE VALLEY (CBSLA.com) — A 56-year-old San Bernardino man was facing charges Tuesday of sexually abusing children in exchange for gifts and money, authorities said.

Paul Hultman, of Apple Valley, was arrested and booked Sunday for continual sexual abuse of a child.

Authorities were dispatched his Hultman's residence in the 16000 block of Winnebago Road  that day for a disturbance call involving one the the alleged victim's parents.

"Deputies discovered that the parents of one of the victims were attempting to confront Paul Hultman after their daughter disclosed sexual abuse by Hultman," Sgt. Jason Frey said in a statement.

An investigation was launched and five victims later disclosed that the suspect was sexually abusing the children in exchange for gifts. The victims included four girls, ranging in age from 12 to 15, and an 8-year-old boy, officials said.

Investigators received information that Hultman was also associated with two preschools in the Santa Barbara area until 2007: Sherwood Montessori School and Sherwood Montessori House of Children, according to officials.

He is being held on $1 million bail.

Anyone with additional information should contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department's Crimes Against Children Detail at (909) 387-3615.