Camp Pendleton Marine accused of contacting minors for sex

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

The 32-year-old staff sergeant was booked into Vista County Jail on suspicion of contacting minors for the purpose of sex, possessing child sexual abuse material and sending harmful material to minors.

The investigation began in February when the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a criminal report on the staff sergeant, who was assigned to work in Fresno as a recruiter for the Marine Corps, where he interacted with minors interested in enlistment. the sheriff’s office said in a news release.

The Marine allegedly “sent inappropriate digital images to a potential female recruit,” the sheriff’s office said.

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

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

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

“We expect our Marines to always adhere to the highest standards and take any allegation of misconduct seriously,” the organization said.

Originally published: November 15, 2024 at 5:21 PM PST