Gregory Daniel Beaumarchais was charged for sending sexually specific messages with an individual he thought was below 18.
Santa Ana Police Division/Face
A veteran police officer who was named “Detective of the 12 months” in 2019 was charged with exchanging sexually specific messages with somebody he thought was a 14-year-old woman.
Gregory Daniel Beaumarchais, 43, is dealing with a misdemeanor cost of annoying or molesting a sufferer believed to be below the age of 18, Orange County District Legal professional officers stated on Tuesday
“Law enforcement officials are entrusted with the sacred duty to safeguard society from hurt,” Orange County District Legal professional Todd Spitzer stated in a press release.
“It's past disturbing that a sworn police officer would interact in inappropriate conversations with somebody he believed to be a baby. Our youngsters shouldn't have to fret about being preyed upon by the very folks we train them who're there to guard them.”
Prosecutors stated Beaumarchais allegedly exchanged sexually specific messages with a civilian decoy on a social media platform between December 2021 and January 2022.
When entry to his social media was lower off by the supplier, Beaumarchais allegedly immediately created one other account below an identical consumer identify, Orange County District Legal professional’s Workplace spokesperson Kimberly Edds informed The Publish.
Edds added Beaumarchais would typically textual content the civilian decoy sexually graphic messages whereas he was on obligation.
The decoy contacted the non-profit group Orange County Crime Stoppers and knowledgeable them about messages she acquired from somebody who claimed to be a police officer.
The U.S. Division of Homeland Safety assisted within the investigation.
Beaumarchais turned himself in to authorities on Tuesday after a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was launched on his personal recognizance and is scheduled to seem again in court docket for his arraignment on October 13.
Santa Ana Police officers stated the detective has been positioned on administrative depart.
Beaumarchais, who has labored with the Santa Ana Police Division for about 11 years, was part of the Santa Ana Police Division’s “Main Enforcement Staff,” which responds to varied crimes within the metropolis, together with gangs, gun trafficking and narcotics.
On Tuesday, Santa Ana Police Division officers stated in a press release that they have been notified about Beaumarchais’ “potential felony conduct” late final week.
“Upon assessing the knowledge, the Division’s Inside Affairs Unit decided the matter to be felony in nature and the Police Division took instant and swift motion in referring these allegations to the suitable native and federal authorities,” Santa Ana Police officers stated. “Our division realized of this info on a Friday, and the next Monday, we immediately engaged with federal companions to provoke a felony investigation.”
If convicted, Beaumarchais faces a most sentence of 1 yr in Orange County Jail and could be required to register as a intercourse offender.
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