Man Accused Of Fondling Children's Feet

SANTEE, Calif. -- An East County man was arrested Thursday on suspicion of giving girls money, drugs and alcohol to let him play with their feet, a sheriff's detective said.

Peter Douglas Mueser, 49, was arrested at his Santee apartment about noon, Detective Brian Patterson said.

Authorities began investigating Mueser last year, after a girl accused him of fondling her feet, Patterson said.

Six other alleged victims, ages 7 to 14, eventually were identified and questioned. The earliest purported molestation occurred roughly nine years ago, and the most recent last year, the detective said.

Mueser is not believed to have exposed himself or his victims' private parts, but touching a child's foot is legally considered child molestation if it is done for sexual gratification, he said.

The detective declined to detail the alleged lewd acts, all of which allegedly occurred at the Magnolia Avenue apartment complex where the suspect lives.