High desert community speaks out after CHP officer’s alleged sex crime arrest
Yucca Valley residents are in shock after learning of the arrest of CHP officer Robert Stephano, who is accused of sex crimes involving 14 and 17-year-old girls.
“I just – I can’t believe it, I mean, he’s supposed to be here to protect the people and this is what he’s doing?” said Lugene Springfield, a Yucca Valley resident.
Robert Stephano, 44, was arrested in Twentynine Palms on Friday by the Sheriff’s Department Specialized Enforcement Detail. According to the Sheriff’s Department, he is facing charges of lewd and lascivious acts with a child between 14 and 15 years old, communicating with a minor with the intent to commit a sex crime, and arranging to meet with a minor to commit a sex crime.
“Kids are supposed to trust the policemen and the highway patrol,” Springfield said. “You’d learn to trust people and a lot of times you’ll do what they say as a child — and that’s just so wrong, it’s so wrong.”
According to Sheriff’s, Stephano was accused of soliciting underage victims for various sexual acts dating back to July 2010. Stephano volunteered as an assistant softball coach for a Morongo Basin recreational league and assisted youth groups for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
“If there’s background checks in the police department and there should be in the church, and he came up clean, then was he good at hiding it?” said Linda Starner, a Yucca Valley resident. “Was this the first time, second time?”
CHP officer arrested for alleged sexual misconduct involving minors
Detectives with the Specialized Investigations Division assumed the investigation as Stephano is a CHP officer. He has been employed with CHP for 12 years and assigned to the Morongo Basin Station.
Investigators ask that anyone with any information regarding the case, or who has been solicited by Stephano, to contact the Specialized Investigations Division, Detective James Tebbetts at (909)387-3589. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call 1-800-WeTip. You can also submit a tip online by clicking here.
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