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A man was arrested after allegedly sending harmful or obscene material to a minor and arranging to meet a minor for sexual purposes.
On Sunday, January 8, 2023, at about 2:00 pm, the Seal Beach Police Department received information about an adult male who had allegedly engaged in sexually explicit online communications with a person believed to be a minor. The man also allegedly arranged to meet the minor for sexual purposes near the Seal Beach Pier.
Officers responded and contacted the man. After an investigation, the man was identified as Thomas Anthony Esparza, age 19, of Anaheim Hills, California. Esparza was placed under arrest for one count of California Penal Code §288.2(a)(1) – Sending Harmful or Obscene Material to a Minor, and one count of California Penal Code §288.4(b) – Arranging to Meet a Minor for Sexual Purposes. He was later booked at the Orange County Jail.
Investigators believe there may be more victims, both reported and unreported. This investigation is ongoing; therefore, anyone with additional information or who believes they may be a victim should contact Detective Bedard at (562) 799-4100 ext. 1113 or [email protected].
