Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Arrested Amid Stanislaus County Investigation into Sexual Misconduct Involving a Minor
STANISLAUS COUNTY, CA — Detectives from the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office have arrested a 34-year-old Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy following an investigation into allegations of off-duty sexual misconduct involving a minor. 34-year-old Darin Van Arsdale, a resident of Lancaster, was taken into custody on March 23, 2026, and is currently being held at the Stanislaus County Jail on $300,000 bail.
The investigation was initiated on March 18, 2026, after Stanislaus County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a runaway juvenile. Upon locating the minor and returning her home, officials learned of inappropriate online communications between the juvenile and an adult male. The minor reported that the individual had initiated contact via a social media application, was aware of her age, and had both requested and received inappropriate photographs.
Van Arsdale was arrested without incident in Calabasas, California, during a planned operation conducted by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit (SVU) and the Human Exploitation and Trafficking (HEAT) team. He faces three felony charges: one count of attempted lewd or lascivious actions with a minor, one count of sending harmful matter to a minor with intent to seduce, and one count of communicating with a minor with intent to commit lewd acts.
Following his arrest, Van Arsdale was transported to the Public Safety Center in Stanislaus County for booking. Law enforcement officials stated that the case remains under active investigation. To maintain victim confidentiality, no further identifying details regarding the minor have been released. Authorities encourage anyone with relevant information to contact Detective Cooper at 209-525-7114 or provide an anonymous tip through Stanislaus Area Crime Stoppers at 866-602-7463.
