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San Diego County Sheriff's deputy charged with groping girl in Vista

Posted at 2:57 PM, May 22, 2018
and last updated 2018-05-22 21:09:11-04

VISTA, Calif. (KGTV) - Charges were filed Tuesday against the San Diego County Sheriff’s deputy accused of groping a 14-year-old girl at a Vista restaurant.

Prosecutors said Timothy Wilson, 32, was caught on surveillance camera at the Panda Express on Main Street March 21. Video shows Wilson entering the restaurant and grabbing the girl, according to investigators.

A Sheriff’s Department employee recognized Wilson from the video and reported him.

Wilson is charged with one felony count of lewd act with a 14-year-old, and one felony count of accessing a computer to take data, including the girl's home address. 

The girl's family lives near the Vista jail where Wilson works and now plans to move.

The victim's mother, Janna Tanis, told 10News that her daughter is going to counseling, "She's still trying to process this all. It's very overwhelming; it's shocking and disappointing."

A judge ordered Wilson to remain in custody in lieu of $200,000 bail. He is being held at the downtown jail, away from his co-workers at the Vista jail. Wilson will return to court June 15.

Tanis added, "I'm so relieved the judge kept bail where it is so my daughter can sleep peacefully tonight."

The Sheriff’s department is seeking other possible victims and asks that they call SDSO at 858-975-2316 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477 if they wish to report any information.