Agoura Hills men plead not guilty

Two Agoura Hills men charged with multiple counts of sexually exploiting a child and using a minor for sex acts pleaded not guilty last week in Los Angeles Superior Court, officials said.

Peter Richard Castillo, 50, and Daniel Cleaver, 19, entered their pleas before Judge Lawrence Mira during an Aug. 8 arraignment in Malibu.

The 92-count indictment charges Castillo with multiple felony and misdemeanor counts, including using a minor for sex acts, oral copulation of a person under 18 and furnishing marijuana to a minor.

Castillo allegedly provided area teenagers with drugs and alcohol in the garage of his Agoura Hills home. He then molested some and recorded others in pornographic videos, the complaint said.

The multiple misdemeanor counts include possession of child pornography, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and sexual exploitation of a child.

Dep. District Attorney Janis Johnson said the complaint lists 21 victims, mostly boys.

Castillo, who lives on Rock Tree Road near Agoura High School, frequently offered his home as a hangout for local teens, said Detective Sgt. Phil Morris of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Detectives began investigating Castillo more than a year ago and made their arrest on July 28.

Castillo is being held in lieu of $2.6 million bail and faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted on all charges.

Cleaver, who was released from jail on his own recognizance, allegedly helped Castillo make the videos. He’s charged with six counts, including three felony counts of using a minor for sex acts, and three misdemeanor counts of sexual exploitation of a child and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

If convicted, Cleaver faces up to four years in state prison.

Both men are scheduled to return to Malibu Court Sept. 4 when the judge will set a preliminary hearing.

—John Loesing