California ‘Detective of the Year’ busted for sending sexually explicit messages in child sex sting

A veteran police officer who was named “Detective of the Yr” in 2019 was charged with exchanging sexually express messages with somebody he thought was a 14-year-old woman. 

Gregory Daniel Beaumarchais, 43, is going through a misdemeanor cost of annoying or molesting a sufferer believed to be underneath the age of 18, Orange County District Legal professional officers mentioned on Tuesday

“Cops are entrusted with the sacred duty to safeguard society from hurt,” Orange County District Legal professional Todd Spitzer mentioned in an announcement.

“It’s past disturbing {that a} sworn police officer would have interaction in inappropriate conversations with somebody he believed to be a baby. Our kids mustn’t have to fret about being preyed upon by the very individuals we train them who’re there to guard them.”

Prosecutors mentioned Beaumarchais allegedly exchanged sexually express 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 underneath the same consumer identify, Orange County District Legal professional’s Workplace spokesperson Kimberly Edds advised The Publish. 

Edds added Beaumarchais would usually 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 look again in courtroom for his arraignment on October 13. 

Santa Ana Police officers mentioned the detective has been positioned on administrative go away.

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 mentioned in an announcement that they have been notified about Beaumarchais’ “potential felony conduct” late final week. 

“Upon assessing the knowledge, the Division’s Inner Affairs Unit decided the matter to be felony in nature and the Police Division took speedy and swift motion in referring these allegations to the suitable native and federal authorities,” Santa Ana Police officers mentioned. “Our division realized of this info on a Friday, and the next Monday, we straight engaged with federal companions to provoke a felony investigation.”

If convicted, Beaumarchais faces a most sentence of 1 yr in Orange County Jail and can be required to register as a intercourse offender.