A DCA investigation

“There is not often a spotlight on the work conducted by sworn peace officer investigators at the Department of Consumer Affairs who work to protect consumers and keep Californians safe.  We thank them for their dedication to consumer and public safety.”

–CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

SAN DIEGO – On July 15, 2024, California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the California Department of Consumer Affairs announced the arrest of and charges filed against a Temecula optometrist after he allegedly traveled to San Diego County to meet up with a 14-year-old boy for sexual contact. The suspect is charged with contacting a minor for lewd purposes. The investigation was conducted by the California Department of Consumer Affairs on behalf of the California Board of Optometry.  The California Department of Justice’s Cybercrime Section will be prosecuting the case.

“Let me be absolutely clear: Using the internet to target children for sex is a reprehensible and despicable crime,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “If you go after our children, we will hold you accountable. I’m deeply grateful to our partners in the Department of Consumer Affairs for their efforts to help keep our kids safe. At the California Department of Justice, we will continue to use all the tools at our disposal to protect the children of our state.” 

“Consumer protection is our highest priority,”said Ken Garcia, Deputy Chief of the Department of Consumer Affairs Division of Investigation. “California has some of the highest professional licensing standards in the nation and it is unacceptable for licensed individuals to violate their responsibility of professional conduct.”  

In July of 2022, the California Board of Optometry received a complaint against the suspect who is a licensed optometrist. After further investigation, it was found that the suspect allegedly sent explicit text messages and pictures, and planned to meet up with a subject he thought was a 14-year-old boy. Once the suspect arrived at the location, he discovered that he was texting with an adult and fled the scene.

The Cybercrime Section is a team of professional prosecutors, investigators, auditors, analysts, and paralegals. The unit investigates, and prosecutes technology-related crimes in California, including unauthorized intrusions, internet fraud, scams or confidence schemes committed by means of electronic media, internet crimes against children, money laundering via cryptocurrency or electronic transfer, organized retail crimes involving significant digital evidence, cyberstalking, and cyber-extortion or cyber-exploitation.

A copy of the criminal complaint can be found here.