According to a campus safety notice dated September 2, SDCCD Police received a report of a lewd act at approximately 10am that morning on the south side of the Learning Resource Center, or LRC, at San Diego Mesa College. Police said the suspect allegedly fondled his genital area and appeared to be masturbating underneath his clothing while in the victim's presence.
The notice identifies the incident as a suspected violation of California Penal Code Section 647(a), which concerns lewd or dissolute conduct in a public place or a place open to the public. Authorities described the suspect as a heavier-set Hispanic adult male wearing a black long-sleeve shirt and black shorts. According to the campus alert, he had black hair that was short on the sides and longer on top, as well as dark circles around his eyes. Police said the man was last seen walking into the Learning Resource Center following the alleged encounter.
The notice does not identify the victim or indicate whether the person is a Mesa College student, employee or visitor. It also does not state whether investigators have identified a suspect, whether surveillance footage of the incident or surrounding area exists, or whether an arrest has been made
The case is identified by SDCCD Police as case number 2026090579.
The reported incident occurred near one of the busiest facilities on the Mesa College campus. The Learning Resource Center houses the college library and other academic resources, and the surrounding area has previously been the location of campus safety incidents.
In 2018, for example, a female Mesa College student reported being sexually assaulted in a grassy area near the LRC. In that unrelated case, a male student suspected of pinning the woman down and attempting to put his hand beneath her clothing later turned himself in to authorities after police distributed a description of the suspect to the campus community.
The Mesa College report also comes less than a year after another San Diego college-campus lewd conduct case resulted in a substantial jail sentence. In November 2025, 33-year-old Adrian Haywood was sentenced to three years in jail and ordered to register as a sex offender after a jury convicted him of three counts of indecent exposure, two counts of lewd conduct and one count of sexual battery. Prosecutors said Haywood exposed himself or engaged in sexually explicit behavior in front of female students, with two incidents occurring at UC San Diego and three at San Diego State University between March and September 2024. The case is unrelated to the incident reported this week at Mesa College, and authorities have given no indication the two are connected.
The latest incident comes as thousands of students have returned to the Linda Vista-area campus for the fall semester. The college's student conduct policies separately prohibit disorderly, lewd, indecent or obscene conduct or expression, among other behavior that can interfere with the educational environment.
San Diego Mesa College is part of the San Diego Community College District, and the campus maintains its own SDCCD Police presence. The college says officers work with students, employees and the surrounding community to maintain campus safety, while police assistance remains available around the clock through the district's dispatch center.
In its September 2 warning, SDCCD Police reminded students and employees that emergency call boxes are located in classrooms, elevators and parking lots throughout the district and provide a direct connection to College Police. The department also offers safety escorts and encourages members of the campus community to use the SDCCDsafe mobile application.
Anyone with information about the reported incident is being asked to contact San Diego Community College District Police at 619-388-6405. Information concerning crimes occurring on or near campus can also be provided to San Diego Police at 619-531-2000 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477. Mesa College lists the same SDCCD Police dispatch number for both officer assistance and campus safety escorts, with assistance available 24 hours a day.
SanDiegoVille has reached out to San Diego Community College District Police seeking additional information about the investigation, including whether a suspect has been identified, whether investigators have obtained surveillance footage and whether police are aware of any similar recent reports involving the same individual.
Anyone encountering suspicious or threatening behavior on campus should contact authorities rather than attempt to confront the individual.
Originally published on September 4, 2026.
San Diego Mesa College is part of the San Diego Community College District, and the campus maintains its own SDCCD Police presence. The college says officers work with students, employees and the surrounding community to maintain campus safety, while police assistance remains available around the clock through the district's dispatch center.
In its September 2 warning, SDCCD Police reminded students and employees that emergency call boxes are located in classrooms, elevators and parking lots throughout the district and provide a direct connection to College Police. The department also offers safety escorts and encourages members of the campus community to use the SDCCDsafe mobile application.
Anyone with information about the reported incident is being asked to contact San Diego Community College District Police at 619-388-6405. Information concerning crimes occurring on or near campus can also be provided to San Diego Police at 619-531-2000 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477. Mesa College lists the same SDCCD Police dispatch number for both officer assistance and campus safety escorts, with assistance available 24 hours a day.
SanDiegoVille has reached out to San Diego Community College District Police seeking additional information about the investigation, including whether a suspect has been identified, whether investigators have obtained surveillance footage and whether police are aware of any similar recent reports involving the same individual.
Anyone encountering suspicious or threatening behavior on campus should contact authorities rather than attempt to confront the individual.
Originally published on September 4, 2026.