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

The 32-year-old staff sergeant was arrested at Vista Prison on suspicion of contacting minors for 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 had been assigned to work in Fresno as a recruiter for the Marine Corps, where he interacted with minors who were interested to enlist, the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

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

As the investigation progressed, 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 Navy’s arrest.

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

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

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