Retired LA County Fire Capt. Faces Sex Abuse Charges

A retired Los Angeles County fire captain is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow on two child sex abuse charges involving an underage relative.

Edward John Cervantes, 62, of Whittier, is set to appear before a Pomona Superior Court judge to enter a plea to one count each of committing a lewd act upon a child and continuous sexual abuse.

The alleged victim told authorities that he molested her repeatedly when she was in the fifth and sixth grades, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Prosecutors said the crimes allegedly occurred between 2003 and 2005.

Cervantes was taken into custody last September and freed on $250,000 bail. The two charges were filed Sept. 28.

He could face up to 24 years in state prison if convicted as charged, according to the District Attorney's Office.

-- City News Service