A 40-year-old, nine-year Long Beach Police department employee, Officer Noe Yanez, was arrested April 19 for for possession of child pornography, following an investigation conducted by the department. After posting bail on April 20, he was rearrested for additional offenses on May 7. He is now facing 24 felony charges and 15 misdemeanor charges.

Yanez first came into contact with a minor during the course of an assignment, which has not been identified to protect the victim’s identity. He then began contacting the minor via text messages and subsequently solicited inappropriate photographs of the victim. In April, the victim reported the incident to a school resource officer and LBPD launched an immediate, and thorough investigation. Significant resources were devoted to determine the extent of the contact between Yanez and the victim, including the execution of multiple search warrants.

Following the initial complaint and arrest of Yanez, the Long Beach Police Department continued their investigation and additional victims were located and interviewed. After an extensive investigation following that arrest, he was rearrested and booked on multiple counts of sexually-based offenses — 39 sex crimes involving 13 victims,

He faces 24 felony charges and 15 misdemeanor charges. Felon charges include: one felony count each of sexual penetration by a foreign object of a person under 18; oral copulation of a person under 18; unlawful sexual intercourse; using a minor for sex acts; possession of matter depicting a minor engaged in sexual conduct; four counts of meeting a minor for lewd purposes; seven felony counts of false imprisonment by violence; and eight felony counts of contact with a minor for a sexual offense. The misdemeanor counts include child molesting, arranging a meeting with a minor for lewd purposes, and sale of an alcoholic beverage to a minor.

“Not only are the actions of this officer a violation of the law, they are a violation of the community’s trust, and a violation of the principles of this Department,” stated Chief Jim McDonnell. “The men and women of this Department take great pride in the good work they do everyday with the community, and we will not allow the actions of this one officer to compromise that relationship.”

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office Justice System Integrity Division will be presented with this case and will handle the prosecution. Yanez has been suspended without pay pending the outcome of the continuing criminal and internal affairs investigations.

Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact the Long Beach Police Department Sex Crimes Detail Tip Line at (562) 570-7878. Anonymous tips may be submitted via text or email by visiting www.tipsoft.com.