Image sources: Booking photo of Antoine Christopher Sims, courtesy of Riverside County Sheriff. Google Street View of the Robert Presley Detention Center, © Google, via Google Maps.
Antoine Christopher Sims, 31, an employee at a licensed residential treatment facility for children in San Jacinto, CA, has been arrested and charged with multiple child sexual abuse offenses.
Arrest and Booking
The Riverside Sheriff’s San Jacinto Station began investigating Sims in September 2024, following reports that he had inappropriate contact with female youth residents in his care.
According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, “Over the course of the investigation, detectives identified multiple victims and uncovered a pattern of predatory behavior involving grooming, inappropriate communication, and unlawful sexual contact.”
Authorities have not disclosed what role Sims held at the treatment center or how long he was employed there. The facility itself has not been publicly identified.
Officials noted that no further information would be released given “the sensitive nature of the case and the involvement of juvenile victims.”
Sims was arrested on Thursday, September 18, 2025, and booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility the same day.
Formal Charges
Sims has been formally charged with seven felonies: one count of unlawful sex with a minor, two counts of oral copulation with a minor, two counts of lewd or lascivious acts, and two counts of sexual penetration with a foreign object.
Sims pleaded not guilty to the charges at his September 22 arraignment. A felony settlement conference is scheduled for October 2, 2025, at the Banning Justice Center. (Patch)
He is currently in custody at the Robert Presley Detention Center on $200,000 bail.
Authorities believe there may be additional victims who have yet to be identified and are encouraging anyone with information to contact Investigator D. Hollingsworth at (951) 654-2702 or Riverside Sheriff’s Dispatch at (951) 776-1099.
Survivors who need immediate, confidential support can also contact the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline.
When Facilities Fail
Cases like these emphasize how vulnerable children are in residential care — and how vital it is for facilities to have effective safeguards in place. Residential treatment centers are expected to provide safe environments by thoroughly screening employees, maintaining close supervision of staff, and acting immediately when concerns or warning signs arise.
When safeguards aren’t in place, children can be left exposed to harm. Abuse in these settings reflects breakdowns in supervision that enable predators to operate and highlights why strong oversight is essential.
Civil Justice for Survivors
The criminal case against Sims will determine whether he faces punishment under California law. But criminal proceedings cannot address the deep and lasting harm caused to survivors and their families.
Civil justice offers an avenue toward healing and recovery. Through the civil court system, survivors may be able to obtain financial resources for therapy, medical treatment, and education.
Beyond compensation, civil lawsuits serve as a powerful tool for accountability: exposing institutional failures, compelling policy changes, and creating precedents that better protect vulnerable individuals in the future.
Legal Support Is Available
At Andreozzi + Foote, we represent survivors of residential sexual abuse in California and nationwide.
If you or someone you love was harmed by Antoine Sims or by anyone at a residential treatment facility, you are not alone. Our trauma-informed attorneys are here to listen. Your voice matters, and speaking up can be a powerful step toward healing and justice.
Every conversation is completely confidential, and there is no cost for an initial consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Whether you are ready to take legal action or simply want to understand your rights, we are here to support you.
You deserve justice, and we are committed to helping you pursue it.
Contact us today through our online form.
You can also reach us by email at info@vca.law or by phone at (866) 311-8640.
