O.C. tattoo artist held in molestation case may have more victims

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Authorities said Friday they have identified at least one more young female who may have been molested by a tattoo artist who used Facebook to lure victims to his Mission Viejo apartment with promises of free tattoos and alcohol.

At least five additional potential victims will be interviewed Friday afternoon by investigators, said Jim Amormino with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. The additional victim came forward after authorities asked for the public’s help in the case this week, he said.

Edder Giovani Nieves-Vera, 29, is suspected of making ‘sexual advances’ toward two 14-year-olds in December and engaging in ‘highly inappropriate conduct,’ Amormino told The Times. Nieves-Vera is suspected of meeting the girls at his apartment and giving them alcohol and tattoos, authorities said.

The teens told authorities, who then posed as one of the teenagers by chatting with him on Facebook.

Nieves-Vera said he wanted to meet one of the 14-year-old girls Tuesday at Dana Point Harbor, then take her to his apartment to finish a tattoo and enjoy his Jacuzzi, officials said.

Instead, he was arrested, authorities said, and is being held on suspicion of two counts of child molestation and one count of communicating with a minor online for sexual purposes.

Amormino said anyone with more information about the case can call the Sheriff’s Department at (714) 647-7000 or O.C. Crime Stoppers at (855) TIP-OCCS. ALSO:

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-- Nicole Santa Cruz