Home / Crime and Justice / Garden Grove Officer Arrested in Explorer Program Probe
Garden Grove Officer Arrested in Explorer Program Probe
3 Jul
Summary
- A Garden Grove police officer was arrested and is on leave.
- Allegations involve inappropriate interactions with a juvenile.
- The investigation is ongoing and will be sent to prosecutors.
A Garden Grove police officer has been arrested and placed on administrative leave following allegations of inappropriate interactions with a juvenile. Officer Roberto Machuca was taken into custody on June 27 and booked into the Orange County Jail. Investigators were first alerted to the accusations on June 26.
Records show Machuca was released from jail the day after his arrest. He has been relieved of his duties and is now on administrative leave while the investigation proceeds. The juvenile involved was part of the department's explorer program, designed for young people interested in law enforcement careers.
Machuca, 32, has been a member of the police department for several years. Authorities state that the safety and security of their youth volunteers are paramount. The investigation is still active, and no further details are being released by Garden Grove police at this time. The case is expected to be forwarded to the Orange County District Attorney's Office once the inquiry concludes.
