Santee entrepreneur faces sexual molestation charges

SANTEE, Calif. — An owner of a preferred antique motor vehicle restoration store in Santee has been charged with sexually assaulting two underage girls.

Joshua Cantor, the owner of Evolve Tailor made Automotive Restoration, is now awaiting demo for 15 felony costs which includes carrying out lewd acts on a baby under 14 a long time of age, attending illicit meetings with a slight, sending destructive subject with the intent to seduce a small, sexual intercourse with a insignificant, and employing a insignificant to product for him, between other fees.

In accordance to bail documents received by CBS 8, 1 of Cantor’s alleged victims was just 11 yrs previous. 

And whilst Cantor faces criminal expenses, the Santee company owner also faces a civil lawsuit submitted by a single of the victims.

In the freshly submitted lawsuit attained by CBS 8, a 17-calendar year-aged female claims Cantor groomed her around the study course of practically two years before assaulting her various moments, up right up until the working day he was arrested.

The woman, who is a small and only identified as Jane Doe in the lawsuit, states she initially satisfied Cantor at a spouse and children collecting in 2020.

In March 2022, Cantor promised to train the lady how to push a adhere shift.

Weeks afterwards, according to the lawsuit, Cantor picked the woman up and took her to her household wherever the two experienced intercourse through which Cantor took shots of the girl.

Reads the lawsuit, “Cantor explained to Plaintiff he has sexual intercourse with ladies and usually takes photographs of them. Cantor bragged about a ‘secret room’ he experienced at his workshop where by he experienced sexual intercourse.”

The abuse ongoing for many months when, according to the complaint, a pedestrian noticed Cantor “sexually assaulting” the young woman and named the police.

Soon after Cantor was arrested, in accordance to the complaint, law enforcement learned Cantor’s “top secret space” at his property which was geared up with cameras, an air mattress, and photographs of the younger female within. 

The civil complaint contains a declaration from the arrest warrant which reads, “Cantor is a fantastic risk to community protection, notably the most vulnerable users of culture, younger youngsters. He especially preys on young and impressionable ladies by befriending their moms and dads or guardians. Cantor earns their have faith in, then takes advantage of their kids. Cantor works by using items, cash, meals, and fun outings to lure his victims: His crimes are fully commited as a result of secrecy and deception. Cantor owns a pretty massive and effective automotive restoration business. Cantor has the financial means to travel and should really be thought of a flight danger. Any bail amount will provide no function of defending the community and the victims. If Cantor makes bail, he will be in a position to keep on to converse and entice victims as he has completed in this case.”

Lawyer Maria Severson signifies the 17-yr-outdated target.

Severson tells CBS 8 that her client will eternally be traumatized by the abuse she endured at the hands of the Santee businessman.

“A 43-year-aged preyed on a teenager and pre-teen, applying electricity and manipulation to get close and in my client’s case, sexually assault and rape her with no her lawful consent. She will have to reside with that for the relaxation of her life.”

Added Severson, “Cantor groomed her and he applied his position as a dependable household good friend to produce possibilities to get her alone, then betrayed that believe in and sexually assaulted her.”

Severson claims the female is demanding Cantor to accept his crimes and very own up to what he did. 

“Cantor’s steps as individuals of a manipulative predator. Youthful girls and ladies like my consumer will need to be listened to and valued, and sexual abusers like Cantor need to be held accountable for the damage they induce.  

Lawyers for Cantor declined to comment for this story.