A man pled not guilty to multiple felonies Thursday after being charged with allegedly sexually abusing a child from Santa Clarita over a 4-month period.

Everardo Gonzalez Cruz, 27, from Santa Maria was charged with nine felony counts of lewd acts upon a child under the age of 14, according to court documents.

Gonzalez Cruz allegedly engaged in sexual acts with the minor between July 1 and Nov. 1 of 2025 in Canyon Country, according to officials.

The case was investigated by detectives with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Special Victims Bureau.

Gonzalez Cruz was ultimately taken into police custody on Jan. 27, 2026. 

If convicted of the crime of lewd acts upon a child under the age of 14, Gonzalez Cruz would be required to register as a sex offender, according to officials.

Gonzalez Cruz pled not guilty to all charges Thursday.  He remains in custody as of Friday with bail set at $900,000, according to Venusse Dunn, spokesperson for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Gonzalez Cruz is expected to appear in court on March 4.

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