Former fire captain from Whittier pleads ‘no contest’ to child molestation

POMONA — A retired fire captain from Whittier pleaded “no contest” Wednesday to charges of molesting a young female relative over the course of two years a decade ago.
Edward John Cervantes, 62, entered the plea at his initial court appearance in the Pomona branch of Los Angeles County Superior Court, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Sarah Ardalani said.
He was charged with one count of lewd acts upon a child and one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child.
Cervantes pleaded “no contest” to both charges, Ardalani said. There was no plea agreement with the prosecution involved.
The molestations took place between 2003 and 2005, district attorney’s officials said in a written statement. The victim, a relative of Cervantes, was in the 5th and 6th grades at the time.
Cervantes faces up to 24 years in state prison when he returns to court for sentencing Jan. 27, she said.
Los Angeles County sheriff’s investigators arrested Cervantes Sept. 19, officials said, however he has remained free pending his court appearance after posting $250,000 bail.

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