Arraignment Date Set

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Capt. and former Lomita sheriff’s station Cmdr. Charles Dennis Emerson is to be arraigned Nov. 16 in Long Beach Municipal Court on lewd conduct charges.

Emerson, 48, was arrested Oct. 15 while watching a movie at the Front Door Theater, at Atlantic Avenue and South Street in Long Beach. Neither Long Beach police nor the Sheriff’s Department would discuss the specifics of the arrest, which took place about 2:40 p.m.

Long Beach police were at the theater as part of “a routine patrol of adult theaters,” said Cmdr. Russell Cross. Emerson was released from custody on his own recognizance.

Assistant Los Angeles County Sheriff Jerry Harper said it is unclear whether Emerson, who was scheduled to work that day, might have had a legitimate reason for taking the time off.

“Emerson’s normal shift is from 8:30 a.m to 5 p.m.,” Harper said. “But at this time we don’t know if he was on duty because captains in the department normally work extra hours and staggered shifts.”

“We are surprised when any member of our department is arrested, let alone a captain,” Harper said. “The nature of his conduct is a matter of concern for the Sheriff’s Department and as a result of the arrest we are in the process of an internal investigation. Depending upon the outcome of the investigation we will take the appropriate actions.”

According to Lt. Donn Brooks of the Sheriff’s Department, Emerson has never been charged with similar charges. Emerson was the commander of the Lomita sheriff’s station from 1981 until mid-1984.

Emerson, who remains on paid leave of absence pending the outcome of the internal investigation, is the department’s industrial relations bureau supervisor. If found guilty of gross departmental misconduct, Emerson could be fired, Harper said.