LAPD officer accused of texting ‘harmful matter’ to juvenile

A Los Angeles Police Department Youth Services officer who worked with cadets was arrested Friday for allegedly texting “harmful matter” to a juvenile.

The arrest of Officer Abel Montes De Oca followed an investigation that began last October, when the department became aware that the nine-year veteran had allegedly sent the texts, according to the LAPD.

The nature of the text messages and the age and gender of the alleged victim were not disclosed.

Montes de Oca, who had been assigned to home since the allegation surfaced, was taken into custody at LAPD headquarters in downtown Los Angeles.

The officer was booked at the Metropolitan Detention Center on suspicion of distribution of harmful matter to a juvenile, child annoying and destruction of evidence — all misdemeanors. His bail was set at $250,000, according to the LAPD.

An LAPD statement says the department “immediately recognized the need to provide the victim with support services to ensure well-being and recovery … from this unfortunate incident. The department as well as the City Attorney’s Office will continue to provide services to the victim as necessary.”

The investigation was conducted by the LAPD’s Internal Affairs Group- Administrative Valley Section.

— City News Service