Pasadena Fire Captain Arrested Twice in Los Angeles on Suspicion of Continuous Child Sexual Abuse

A Pasadena Fire Department captain has been placed on administrative leave after Los Angeles Police Department detectives arrested him last week on suspicion of child sexual abuse. He was released on bail, then re-arrested two days later by LAPD Juvenile Division officers and remains jailed.

LAPD detectives took 47-year-old Christopher James Ramstead into custody on Feb. 4 and booked him into an LAPD Valley jail facility on suspicion of violating California Penal Code 288.5(a), the statute that defines the felony offense of “continuous sexual abuse of a child.”

Ramstead was released the following day after posting $550,000 bail, according to Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department / Inmate Information Center booking records.

LAPD’s Juvenile Division once again arrested Ramstead on Feb. 6. He is currently being held without bail.

A City of Pasadena statement provided to Pasadena Now said: “The City of Pasadena is aware of the arrest of a Pasadena Fire Captain while off-duty. The alleged incident(s) occurred outside the scope of the employees official duties. The Fire Captain was immediately put on administrative leave while the investigation(s) take place. Due to active investigation(s) the City cannot comment any further”

Ramstead has worked for the City of Pasadena since 2005 and was promoted to fire captain in 2016, citing city information.

News reports indicate that Ramstead is scheduled to appear in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Feb. 26.