Man pleads not guilty to sexual assault of Norco girl, 12

A Westminster man has pleaded not guilty to charges that he repeatedly sexually assaulted a 12-year-old Norco girl at gunpoint over a six-month period and forced the girl to sell marijuana.

Julio Cortes, 25, pleaded not guilty Sept. 17 in Riverside Superior Court to two felony counts: aggravated sexual assault of a child, and aggravated sexual assault of a minor with force.

Cortes, who remains jailed in lieu of $1 million bail, is set to next appear in court Oct. 19 for a felony settlement conference, according to online court records.

According to a Riverside County Sheriff's Department news release, deputies learned of the alleged abuse Sept. 11.

During police surveillance the following day, Cortes called the girl and told her he was on the way to her home. Deputies arrested him in the area of the home.