Cedric Valdez, a 23-year-old from Oregon, has been charged with targeting more than 100 people, including minors, by posing as a reflexology student for a school project. Authorities say he admitted to a foot fetish and conducted the scheme for five years at retail stores and parking lots. He was arrested at a Target store in Hillsboro and remains in custody ahead of an August trial.
Cedric Valdez approached victims at large retail stores, parking lots, and storefronts in shopping centers, claiming he needed to inspect their feet for a school project on reflexology, according to court documents and a Hillsboro Police Department press release. Prosecutors allege he massaged feet, and in some cases smelled, kissed, or licked them, while taking photos and videos that he uploaded to pornography websites. Valdez admitted to investigators that he was sexually attracted to feet and had lied to access as many as possible, with victims ranging from 14 to 47 years old over five years. At least 13 were minors, and he was often accompanied by a juvenile during interactions. He faces 41 counts of third-degree sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and practicing massage without a license. Hillsboro police arrested Valdez at a Target store in January, with bail set at $10,000 last week. He remains jailed as of Friday, with trial scheduled for August. 'We want to thank the brave women who came forward,' the police department said, noting more victims may exist.
