Celebrity Skateboarder Accused Of Sexually Exploiting Young Girl To Be Arraigned
VAN NUYS (CBSLA.com) — A 15-year-old celebrity skateboarder who is accused of sexually exploiting a young girl is due in court this morning, officials said Wednesday.
According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, Steven Fernandez, of Compton, is scheduled to appear at 8:30 a.m. in the Van Nuys Courthouse West.
Co-defendant Keelan Lamar Dadd, 27, is also scheduled to be arraigned this morning.
A preliminary hearing has been scheduled on Jan. 6, 2016, for 22-year-old co-defendant Jose Luis Barajas.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, Fernandez is accused of using his celebrity status to lure a 12-year-old girl into a car that was being driven by Barajas on Ventura Boulevard in November.
A preliminary investigation revealed Fernandez allegedly promised the girl she could make an appearance on his nonexistent MTV special in exchange for sex acts.
Four days later, detectives posed as the victim and arranged to meet with Fernandez and Barajas at an abandoned home. Both were subsequently arrested during the sting operation. Dadd turned himself into police earlier this month.
On Dec. 17, LAPD detectives announced Fernandez, Barajas and Dadd were arrested and charged with committing lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14.
Being that Fernandez is a minor, he was released into his mother's custody and was ordered to wear an ankle tracker pending his court appearance.
"Steven is as much of a victim in this case as the other minor," said Attorney Ryan D'Ambrosio. "Once the investigation is complete, I think evidence will show that Steven's celebrity status was preyed on by the adults who were arrested in this matter."
Fernandez is a well-known skateboarder who has a large following on Twitter and Instagram. He also markets the popular clothing label Honey Brand. Barajas is his manager and Dadd is a fellow professional skater.
According to Det. Ninette Toosbuy of the West Valley Detective Division, the trio used Fernandez's "fame and brand to sexually exploit the very girls who made them rich and famous."
Police are continuing to search for other possible victims.
Anyone with more information about this case was asked to call the LAPD at (877) 527-3247.
