A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy was arrested and faces sex crime charges after an operation by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation began on March 18 with a search for a girl who had run away from home. Upon being brought home, the girl reported inappropriate sexual conversations online with a man she met on social media who knew her age and had requested and received inappropriate photographs from her, according to the sheriff’s office. The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit and the Human Exploitation and Trafficking team arrested Darin Van Arsdale, a 34-year-old Lancaster resident, during a targeted operation in Calabasas on March 23. The conduct is alleged to have occurred while he was off-duty. He was taken to Stanislaus County and faces three felony counts related to exploitation of a minor. They include:Attempted lewd or lascivious actions with a minor.Harmful matter sent to a minor with intent to seduce.Communicating with a minor with intent to commit lewd acts.Van Arsdale was being held on $300,000 bond at the Stanislaus County Jail. The LA County Sheriff’s Office said Van Arsdale has been relieved of duty pending the outcome of the criminal investigation. “The Department takes these allegations very seriously and is fully cooperating with the investigation and the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department,” the sheriff’s office said. “We hold our personnel to the highest standards, both on and off-duty, and expect our employees to uphold the law and conduct themselves with integrity. Any conduct that falls short of these expectations is addressed and, if warranted, appropriate action will be taken in accordance with Department policy and the law.”See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

STANISLAUS COUNTY, Calif. —

A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy was arrested and faces sex crime charges after an operation by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office.

The investigation began on March 18 with a search for a girl who had run away from home.

Upon being brought home, the girl reported inappropriate sexual conversations online with a man she met on social media who knew her age and had requested and received inappropriate photographs from her, according to the sheriff’s office.

The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit and the Human Exploitation and Trafficking team arrested Darin Van Arsdale, a 34-year-old Lancaster resident, during a targeted operation in Calabasas on March 23. The conduct is alleged to have occurred while he was off-duty.

He was taken to Stanislaus County and faces three felony counts related to exploitation of a minor. They include:

  • Attempted lewd or lascivious actions with a minor.
  • Harmful matter sent to a minor with intent to seduce.
  • Communicating with a minor with intent to commit lewd acts.

Van Arsdale was being held on $300,000 bond at the Stanislaus County Jail.

The LA County Sheriff’s Office said Van Arsdale has been relieved of duty pending the outcome of the criminal investigation.

“The Department takes these allegations very seriously and is fully cooperating with the investigation and the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department,” the sheriff’s office said. “We hold our personnel to the highest standards, both on and off-duty, and expect our employees to uphold the law and conduct themselves with integrity. Any conduct that falls short of these expectations is addressed and, if warranted, appropriate action will be taken in accordance with Department policy and the law.”

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel