Pasadena Fire Captain Christopher Ramstead is off the job and facing serious criminal allegations after Los Angeles police arrested him this week on suspicion of child sexual abuse. City officials moved quickly to pull him from duty, placing him on administrative leave while prosecutors move forward with the case.
Investigators say the arrest stems from an allegation of "continuous" sexual abuse of a child. Ramstead, who was off-duty at the time, was taken into custody and later released after posting bond. The Pasadena Fire Department has removed him from active duty as the investigation plays out.
According to ABC7 Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Police Department arrested the 47-year-old on Wednesday night, and he was released the next day after posting a $550,000 bond. ABC7 reports that the arrest code cites "continuous" sexual abuse of a child, and it is not yet clear whether more than one alleged victim is involved.
The City of Pasadena, as quoted by ABC7 Los Angeles, said the alleged conduct occurred "outside the scope of the employee's official duties" and confirmed that Ramstead was placed on immediate administrative leave following the arrest.
What "continuous" means under California law
Under California law, "continuous sexual abuse of a child" is a specific felony that covers repeated sexual acts over a period of at least three months. The crime carries a potential state-prison term of six, 12, or 16 years.
As outlined by Justia, Penal Code §288.5 applies when a defendant has recurring access to a child under 14 and allegedly commits three or more qualifying acts during the charged time frame. That recurring-access requirement is a key part of how the statute is used in court.
Career and next steps
Ramstead has worked for the City of Pasadena since 2005 and was promoted to fire captain in 2016, according to ABC7 Los Angeles. He is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 26, 2026.
The city has said it cannot comment further, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. Officials have indicated that Ramstead will remain on administrative leave while prosecutors pursue the case.
Potential penalties and the legal process
If a defendant is convicted under the continuous-sexual-abuse statute, the consequences go far beyond a prison term. In addition to potential incarceration, the law can require lifetime sex-offender registration and may involve fines and restitution to victims.
Legal guides note that Penal Code §288.5 also restricts how related charges tied to the same victim and time period can be filed, a technical wrinkle that often shapes both prosecution strategy and defense tactics. Ramstead is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. For a breakdown of the statute and possible penalties, see David P. Shapiro Law.
