LAPD Cadet Scandal: Officer Faces Weapons Charges

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles police officer that Chief Charlie Beck personally arrested appeared in a San Bernardino courtroom to plead not guilty to a series of weapons charges.

Robert Cain, who is accused of having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old police cadet among a group of cadets suspected of stealing police cars and impersonating officers, surrendered to police on Thursday. A search warrant served at his home uncovered several illegal weapons, authorities said.

The Rancho Cucamonga home of 31-year-old Robert Cain was searched on June 22 following his arrest for allegedly having inappropriate contact with a minor, the Los Angeles Police Department said.

More than 100 weapons were found, some of which are not illegal in California, according to LAPD Chief Charlie Beck.

Cain was booked at the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department on 10 felony weapons charges , including illegal possession and manufacturing of assault rifles, authorities said. He appeared in court Friday handcuffed, wearing a jail-issued jumpsuit, according to authorities.

Cain is being held on a $500,000 bond, one day after LAPD investigators presented the evidence in the case to the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office, which brought the charges forward.

The 10-year LAPD veteran who was previously assigned to the 77th Street Station first came under fire when it was discovered he had a sexual relationship with one of seven LAPD cadets who were arrested for having involvement in the theft of three police cars, police said.

Beck personally arrested Cain on June 22 for the alleged relationship with the girl. Cain is facing felony charges for unlawful sex with a minor in that case. The cadet scandal led to the closure of two cadet programs and an ongoing investigation.

City News Service and Patch Staffer contributed to this report.