Rape suspect accused in multiple crimes, including some with minors

Investigators believe a man arrested late last month in connection with multiple sex crimes, including some involving juveniles, may have additional victims, Long Beach police said Thursday.

Detectives with the Sex Crimes Detail arrested 34-year-old Long Beach resident Melvin Johnson Jr. on Oct. 30 after identifying him as a suspect in several incidents, including one involving a "forcible lewd act against a child under age 14." The incident occurred near Paramount Blvd and South Street and involved a girl, police said.

Authorities believe Johnson is also responsible for the following incidents:

• May 2024 – Long Beach Boulevard and Wardlow Road – Various sexual assaults, against a female adult
• July 2024 – Long Beach Boulevard and San Antonio Drive – Sexual assault with intent to commit a felony – victim under age 18, against a female minor
• October 2024 – Orange Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway – Sexual assault with intent to commit a felony, against a female adult
• October 2024 – Pacific Coast Highway and Pacific Avenue – Possession of a firearm by a felon

Through their investigation, detectives determined that Johnson used a firearm when committing several of the crimes.

Johnson is also a person of interest in multiple sexual assault cases in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department's jurisdiction and the state of Nevada, police said.

Johnson was taken to Long Beach City Jail and booked on suspicion of  forcible lewd act against a child under age 14, forcible rape, forcible oral copulation, two counts of sexual assault with intent to commit a felony, sexual battery for the purpose of sexual arousal, sexual battery through restraint, sexual assault with intent to commit a felony – victim under age 18, and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Bail was set at $3,560,000.