Accused child molester John Linn of Pioneertown, 55, was in Joshua Tree Court Thursday, January 16, and had serious formal charges pressed by the District Attorney and a substantial increase in his bail. Linn had been arrested for investigation of rape, lewd acts with a child under 14, and false imprisonment with bail set at $250,000. At the arraignment he was formally charged with kidnapping to commit sexual offense, forcible oral copulation of a child, forcible rape of a child, 2 counts of sexual penetration of a child under 16 and dissuading a witness. His bail was increased to $1 million. The investigation began January 6, when Yucca Valley High School Resource Officer Michael Sellers learned of a possible sexual relationship between Linn and a 14-year-old girl, the relationship had gone on for more than a year. Linn was an assistant coach for the 2019 Yucca Valley High School football team. He was involved in the Pioneertown Wild West Theater, and country-western dance groups. After his arrest, Linn was relieved of all duties related to the school district. Detectives are concerned there may be other victims. Anyone with information should call the Sheriff’s Department at 760-366-4175.
