Van Nuys man charged with child molestation, posing as a police officer
A Van Nuys man who allegedly posed as a police officer and told underage girls to place tracking devices in their bras to help him with an investigation was charged Thursday with child molestation and more than a dozen other counts.
Joseph Reyes Rogero, 24, was charged with 18 felony counts that also included lewd acts on a child, kidnapping and impersonating a public officer, the Los Angeles County district attorney's office said.
He is charged with flashing what looked like a police badge when he approached the girls near Ernest Lawrence Middle School in Chatsworth, authorities said. Five girls, ages 12 to 15, are involved in the case.
Rogero works as a fighter and trainer with the M-1 Global gym in Chatsworth, the Los Angeles Police Department said.
He was being held in lieu of $5.5-million bail. The LAPD said there may be additional victims and asked anyone with information to call Det. John Macchiarella at (818) 832-0980 or Det. Teresa Pikor at (818) 832-0985.
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— Robert J. Lopez
Twitter: @LAJourno
Photo: Joseph Reyes Rogero. Credit: LAPD
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