October 16, 2026 – Riverside County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on December 8, 2024, deputies from the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station responded to the 27000 block of Storrie Lake Drive in Moreno Valley regarding an assault on an elderly victim. Upon arrival, deputies located the injured victim, who said someone had attempted to kill them. The victim was transported to a local hospital in stable condition.

Investigators from the Moreno Valley Station Investigations Bureau assumed the investigation and identified one of the suspects as Lester Watkins (pictured below), a 53-year-old resident of Moreno Valley. They also discovered evidence of real estate fraud involving Watkins and additional suspects.

On December 16, 2024, investigators located Watkins in the city of Diamond Bar. He was taken into custody without incident and later booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center on suspicion of attempted murder and elder abuse.

As the investigation continued, investigators identified 72-year-old Darnell Thompson (pictured above), 22-year-old Danielle Thompson (not pictured), and 53-year-old Nakethia Taylor (not pictured), all residents of Moreno Valley, as additional suspects. Investigators also identified at least four additional victims of fraud, including elderly and deceased individuals. Due to the extensive real estate fraud discovered, investigators contacted the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office Real Estate Fraud Unit, which joined the investigation and worked with Moreno Valley Station investigators.

On October 13, 2026, investigators from the Moreno Valley Station Investigations Bureau and deputies from the Moreno Valley Station Special Enforcement Team served search warrants at multiple locations throughout Moreno Valley. Darnell, Danielle, and Nakethia were taken into custody without incident and booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center.

Darnell was booked for attempted murder, conspiracy, money laundering, grand theft, forgery, and preventing or dissuading a witness. Danielle was booked for money laundering, and Nakethia was booked for forgery and perjury.

This remains an active and ongoing joint investigation. No further information will be released at this time. Investigators believe there may be additional victims and ask anyone with information about this case to contact Master Investigator Gomez at the Moreno Valley Station Investigations Bureau at (951) 486-6700, or Senior Investigator Shea with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office at (951) 955-0723.

Reporting Supervisor: Sergeant James Merrill

File # MV243430152

Source & photos: Riverside County Sheriff’s Office