Camp Pendleton Marine accused of contacting minors for sex

A Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton was arrested Thursday by the state’s internet crimes task force for allegedly contacting minors for sex while working as a recruiter, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office said.

The 32-year-old sergeant major was sent to Vista prison on suspicion of communicating with minors for sex, possessing child sexual abuse materials and sending harmful substances to minors.

The investigation began in February, when the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a crime report against a staff sergeant who was assigned as a recruiter for the Marine Corps in Fresno, where he interacted with minors interested in enlisting. the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

The sheriff’s office alleged the sailor sent “inappropriate digital images to a potential female recruit.”

As the investigation progressed, detectives discovered similar allegations involving two other girls, the sheriff’s office said.

The task force worked with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service to coordinate the sailor’s arrest.

I Marine Expeditionary Force said in a statement to the Union-Tribune that it was “cooperating fully with the investigation.”

“We expect our Marines to maintain the highest standards at all times and take any allegations of misconduct seriously,” the organization said.

First Publication Date: November 15, 2024 17:21 PST