Crime & Safety
Man Arrested For Trying To Meet With Minor In Seal Beach: Police
The man was arrested by Seal Beach police officers on Sunday, and investigators believe that there may be more victims out there.
SEAL BEACH, CA — A 19-year-old man was arrested Sunday after he sent obscene material to a minor and arranged to meet up with that same minor in Seal Beach, authorities said.
The man, identified as Anaheim Hills resident Anthony Esparza, faces charges including one count of sending harmful of obscene material to a minor, and one count of arranging to meet a minor for sexual purposes. He is currently being held in Orange County Jail.
Seal Beach Police Department Lt. Nick Nicholas told Patch that officers were made aware of Esparza on Sunday, Jan. 8 at about 2 p.m., after officer received information about an adult male who had reportedly engaged in explicit online communications with a minor.
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Nicholas said Esparza also had plans to meet the minor for "sexual purposes" near the Seal Beach Pier.
Investigators believe that there may be more victims, both reported and unreported. Residents with information about the ongoing investigation are asked to call Detective Bedard at 562-799-4100 ext. 1113 or rbedard@sealbeachca.gov.
Find out what's happening in Los Alamitos-Seal Beachfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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