Veteran Police Officer Arrested On Child Porn Charges In OC

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — A 25-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department was arrested in Huntington Beach Wednesday on suspicion of possessing and distributing child pornography. The officer's arrest culminates a months-long investigation that started with a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

James Diamond, 52, has been placed on home duty, according to the LAPD. He was arrested Wednesday morning outside a business in the 5000 block of Bolsa Avenue, according to Long Beach Police officials, who led the investigation. It's the second time Diamond has made headlines. A Detective James Diamond was involved in a fatal shooting in 2005.

The child pornography case started in October with a tip about the possible online distribution of sexual abuse material. An investigation by the Long Beach Police Department led detectives to Diamond. Diamond was booked Wednesday on two felony counts each of possession of child pornography and distribution of obscene matter depicting a minor, according to Long Beach police officials.

His bail was set at $100,000. The LAPD Professional Standards Bureau was notified of Diamond's arrest and will conduct an administrative investigation. A spokesman for the LAPD said the department did not have an immediate comment.

While authorities have released little information about the case or Diamond's rank and assignment, his name appears in an LAPD report about a fatal 2005 officer-involved shooting. On May 11, 2005, a Southwest Area Narcotics Detective James Diamond attempted to serve a search warrant on 26 year-old Brayland Randolph, shooting him after he allegedly brandished a gun while attempting to flee. Randolph died moments later.

Long Beach detectives are asking anyone who may have information about the investigation to contact LBPD Computer Crimes Detectives Julie Lacey or Laurie Barajas at 562- 570-7223. Anonymous tips can be called into Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or submitted online at lacrimestoppers.org.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.