LA deputy arrested for off-duty sexual misconduct with a minor

A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy was arrested after he engaged in sexual conversation online with a minor and requested inappropriate photos from her, authorities in Stanislaus County announced Tuesday.

Darin Van Arsdale, 34, of Lancaster was taken into custody on Monday and booked into the Stanislaus County Jail.

Investigators said they learned about Arsdale when they were trying to locate a runaway juvenile. When they found the child and returned her home, she told deputies that she had engaged in sexual conversations online with the LA deputy, according to the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office.

Arsdale, according to the investigators, knew her age and still asked for — and received — inappropriate photographs from her.

The 34-year-old had initially reached out to the victim via social media, according to the sheriff’s office.

Arsdale is facing charges of attempted lewd or lascivious actions with a minor, harmful matter sent to a minor with intent to seduce, and communication with a minor with intent to commit lewd acts.

The LA County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) said the deputy has been “relieved of duty” for now .

“We hold our personnel to the highest standards, both on and off-duty, and expect our employees to uphold the law and conduct themselves with integrity,” the LASD said in a statement to NBC Los Angeles. “Any conduct that falls short of these expectations is addressed and, if warranted, appropriate action will be taken in accordance with Department policy and the law.”

The LASD said it is cooperating with the investigation led by the the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office.