LAUSD Police Officer Charged With Attempted Child Sex Trafficking

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A Los Angeles Unified School District police officer was taken into federal custody Wednesday on charges of attempted sex trafficking of a minor.

Mauricio Edgardo Estrada, who has been placed on administrative leave by the school district, surrendered to authorities after he was indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Prosecutors say Estrada, 28, responded to a Craigslist advertisement promising sex with a minor on April 20. He allegedly exchanged emails and text messages with an undercover agent whom he believed to be a 15-year-old girl, and agreed to pay $150 for sex.

The two-count indictment (PDF) alleges when Estrada arrived at a gas station in Artesia to meet the supposed girl, he had $150 in his possession and condoms. He was taken into custody by sheriff's personnel and subsequently released from county jail after posting bond.

An attorney representing Estrada could not immediately be reached for comment.

Estrada is charged with attempted sex trafficking of a child and use of the Internet to induce a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity. He faces a minimum of 10 years in federal prison if convicted.

Joseph Macias, special agent in charge for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigation unit in Los Angeles, called the allegations "deeply troubling."

"The reality is that the defendants in child exploitation cases come from all walks of life and access to children is all too often the common denominator," said Macias.

Estrada has been employed by the school district since December 2013, according to a statement issued by School Police Chief Steven Zipperman, who said the allegations do not involve a student or any of the district's campuses.

Estrada was placed on administrative leave after his arrest, and an internal investigation is ongoing, according to the statement.

"The entire L.A. Unified family is deeply disappointed by these serious allegations as they do not reflect the professionalism, ethics and character of the men and women of the Los Angeles School Police Department," Zipperman said.

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