Owner of Team Art Collective Tattoo Appeared in Court Denying Rape Charges

HESPERIA – The Hesperia tattoo artist accused of raping an unconscious customer appeared in court on Wednesday and pleading not guilty to all charges.

The allegations came from a 19-year-old customer who told authorities that she was sexually assaulted while receiving a tattoo from Henry Richard Camarena Jr., 43, of Hesperia and owner of Team Art Collective Tattoo on May 31, 2017. A search of the tattoo shop led to evidence and an arrest warrant for Camarena.

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Camarena was found at a home in the 15200 block of Ramona Boulevard in the City of Baldwin Park where he was arrested and booked into the West Valley Detention Center. He is being held on $500,000 bail and is scheduled to appear at the Victorville Superior Court on the morning of July 25, 2017.

Two past customers have told a 24/7 Headline News reporter that Camarena offered free tattoos, but required late night appointments when doing so. An additional woman also said that she never completed paid for services because she felt uncomfortable by what appeared to her to be sexual advances. She said she never returned for the completion of the work due to Camarena’s “weird behavior”.

Camarena appeared at the Victorville Superior Court and denied two counts of raping a victim unconscious of nature of the act. At this time it is unclear if the second charge was related to the allegations of the same victim or an additional victim.

Anyone who has information regarding Henry Camarena, or this investigation, is asked to contact the Hesperia Station, Detective Laduke at (760)947-1500, or to remain anonymous contact WeTip at 800-78-CRIME or www.wetip.com.