08.02.2022 | 4:30 PM | SANTA ANA – A police detective is charged with sending graphic messages to a civilian decoy impersonating a 14-year-old girl, according to authorities.
Gregory Daniel Beaumarchais, 43, a Santa Ana Police Department detective, is charged with one misdemeanor count of annoying or molesting a victim believed to be under the age of 18 in connection with allegations he sent graphic messages to a civilian decoy between December 2021 and January 2022.
The conduct, some of which reportedly occurred while Beaumarchais was on duty, was reported by the civilian decoy who was impersonating a 14-year-old girl.
Beaumarchais, who has been with the Santa Ana Police Department since 2011, turned himself today on the charge that carries a maximum one-year sentence and sex offender registration if convicted. He has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome criminal and administrative investigations.
It was unclear if Beaumarchais was released on bail or being held in custody.