Deputy Pleads Not Guilty to Molesting Teen-Age Girl

A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy pleaded not guilty Friday to sexually molesting a 15-year-old girl over a four-month period.

Deputy Octavio Edward Garcia, 42, was ordered held in lieu of $600,000 bail. Garcia, charged with 12 counts of lewd acts upon a child, had repeatedly told the girl that he would flee the country if she told anyone about the abuse, Deputy Dist. Atty. Hemanshu Nigam said in arguing for steep bail.

Nigam said the alleged crimes came to light after Garcia ended the sexual activities this month and the girl attempted suicide. One of the 15-year-old’s relatives took the matter to authorities, officials said.

Garcia’s lawyer pleaded for his client to be released on his own recognizance or, at most, on $20,000 bail because he has strong community ties and three siblings in law enforcement.

Nigam said that Garcia has a prior misdemeanor conviction for assaulting his spouse two years ago. He was placed on probation in that case.

Garcia’s relatives filled three rows of spectator seats during the hearing before Court Commissioner Kristi Lousteau. After bail was set, they left the courtroom angrily, some of them crying, and did not talk to reporters.

Garcia has been suspended without pay from his duties as a patrol officer at the East LosAngeles sheriff’s station.

The 11-year veteran was arrested at his job Wednesday, a move that prompted complaints from his lawyer, Robin J. Yanes.

“That was terrible,” Yanes said. “They called his family and told them if they didn’t come and get his car within an hour it would be towed. It’s like they turned their backs on this man immediately.”

Garcia is due back in court Nov. 8 so a date for his preliminary hearing can be set.