LA sheriff’s deputy accused of contacting Stanislaus 14-year-old, other minors
A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy is facing multiple felony charges in Stanislaus County after prosecutors allege he communicated with a 14-year-old girl and attempted to arrange a sexual encounter, according to a criminal complaint filed Thursday.
Darin Lee Van Arsdale II, 34, is charged with attempted lewd acts with a minor, contacting a minor for a sexual offense and attempting to send harmful material to a minor, according to the complaint filed by Deputy District Attorney Harshan Samra.
The charges stem from alleged Snapchat communications between March 16-18, during which prosecutors say Van Arsdale communicated with the 14-year-old girl, identified in court documents as Jane Doe.
Prosecutors allege Van Arsdale attempted to engage in lewd conduct with the girl with the intent of arousing or gratifying sexual desire.
He also is accused of contacting the girl with the intent to commit a sexual offense and attempting to send, or cause to be sent, harmful material with the intent of seducing a minor, according to the complaint.
During Thursday’s arraignment hearing, prosecutors said investigators have evidence Van Arsdale communicated with “multiple minors,” though only one alleged victim within Stanislaus County’s jurisdiction.
“We do have information that allowed us to allege that multiple minors, or suspected minors, were contacted,” Samra said after the hearing. “We were not able to charge anything outside of our county jurisdiction.”
According to prosecutors, the conversation with the girl lasted about two days and included explicit messages. Authorities allege Van Arsdale offered to give the minor a massage “all over her body,” requested and received nude photographs, and discussed meeting in person.
Prosecutors said he suggested having a “movie night” in his truck and expressed a desire for the minor to perform a sexual act.
The girl later ran away from home after her mother discovered the communications, prosecutors said in court.
Samra declined to comment on specifics of the investigation, including how the messages were recovered or whether additional victims have been identified.
Aggravating factors alleged
The complaint outlines several aggravating factors prosecutors say should be considered if Van Arsdale is convicted.
Prosecutors allege that the victim was “particularly vulnerable” and that Van Arsdale communicated with multiple minors in an attempt to engage in lewd conduct.
The complaint further states Van Arsdale was “entrusted in a position of public trust and confidence” as a member of law enforcement and previously had been responsible for the safety of minors as a school resource officer.
Bail remains at $300,000
Prosecutors argued for elevated bail, citing the defendant’s alleged contact with multiple minors and his position as a law enforcement officer.
“There was a level of confidence and trust that the public entrusts in our sheriff’s deputies, and there’s a clear violation of that here,” Samra said.
Prosecutors have cited the defendant’s occupation as a circumstance in aggravation, which could be considered at sentencing if he is convicted.
Samra said there is no allegation the defendant used his position with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department during the alleged communications.
Defense attorney Neil Zientek argued for bail to be reduced to $100,000, noting the defendant has no prior criminal history, is the sole provider for his 2-year-old son and shares custody of a daughter, and has strong ties to Los Angeles County.
Judge David Hood denied that request and kept bail set at $300,000.
Next court date set
Van Arsdale, dressed in an orange-and-cream jail uniform, appeared nervous during the hearing, at times shaking and nodding his head.
The case is scheduled to return to court Monday before Judge Ruben Villalobos.
Zientek was not available for comment after the hearing.
