Los Angeles

Weapons Charges Filed Against LAPD Officer in Cadet Scandal

The revelation is part of an ongoing scandal that includes an officer's alleged sexual misconduct with an underage cadet

Weapons charges have been filed against a Los Angeles police officer arrested last month in a sex scandal involving a 15-year-old police cadet who is suspected of joy riding in stolen patrol cars.

LAPD Officer Robert Cain was charged with 10 felony weapons crimes including the illegal possession and manufacturing of assault rifles, according to a LAPD news release.

The charges stem from a search of his home last month.

The home was searched as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into his alleged inappropriate sexual contact with a 15-year-old female LAPD cadet, police said.

He faces felony charges of unlawful sex with a minor.

During the search of Cain's home, investigators discovered several restricted firearms, including assault rifles, and weapons-related contraband, officials said.

Cain surrendered Thursday to San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputies in Rancho Cucamonga, officials said.

He was booked into jail on the weapon charges.

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck personally handcuffed Cain at the 77th Street Division last month, saying at a news conference that Cain's actions were "despicable."

Cain, 31, had been arrested on suspicion of having unlawful sex with a minor.

Cain, a 10-year veteran, was the 77th Street Division's equipment room operator and was involved in checking out police cars and other items, Beck said.

The teen had been a cadet for three months. Text messages on her cellphone led investigators to Cain, Beck said.

Four other cadets — including the girl — were later arrested for allegedly riding along.

Beck has said some cadets made homemade police uniforms, impersonated police officers and made traffic stops but none of the drivers they pulled over were cited, handcuffed or had force used on them.

The stolen vehicles were taken from the 77th Street Division and the Central Division.

Beck suspended cadet programs at both divisions.

No other sworn officers or other cadets have been implicated in the cadet program scandal but an investigation continues and top detectives have been assigned, including some who worked on the infamous "Grim Sleeper" serial murder case, Beck said.

A message was left for Cain's lawyer Thursday night.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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