Pasadena Fire Captain charged with sexually abusing three children
VAN NUYS, Calif. (KESQ) - A Pasadena Fire Department captain pleaded not guilty today to charges that he sexually abused three children over a period spanning more than two decades in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
Christopher James Ramstead, 47, of Thousand Oaks, is charged with nine felony counts of lewd act on a child involving alleged abuse during various time frames between March 2003 and July 2025, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
Ramstead remains jailed without bail pending a bail review hearing Friday in a Van Nuys courtroom.
"These allegations describe years of sexual abuse of children by someone who was repeatedly placed in positions of trust,'' District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement announcing the charges. "The harm alleged here is profound, and no title, badge or uniform places anyone above the law. We commend the courage of those who reported this abuse, request any others who have information about such abuse to come forward, and assure the public that our office will aggressively pursue justice and stand with survivors."
Ramstead could face a maximum of 135 years to life in state prison if convicted as charged, according to the District Attorney's Office.
In a statement provided to the Pasadena Star-News, the city of Pasadena said the alleged crimes "occurred outside the scope of the employee's official duties" and that he was "immediately placed on administrative leave while the investigation(s) take place."
Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department's Juvenile Division are asking anyone who may be an alleged victim or who has additional information about Ramstead to contact them at 818-374-5415 or 1 877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247) during non-business hours or weekends.
