Teenager at center of LAPD cadet scandal files claim against city over alleged sex abuse
A 15-year-old girl who investigators say was sexually abused by a former Los Angeles police officer while she was part of the department’s cadet program filed a claim against the city Friday, alleging the officer spent months gaining her trust before coercing her into sex acts.
Robert Cain, 31, used his influence as a police officer and mentor to draw the girl into a series of sexual encounters earlier this year, said attorney Luis Carrillo, who is representing her.
“He was manipulating her for his use,” he said. “She needs a lot of therapy.”
Cain was arrested and charged with multiple sex offenses involving an underage member of the cadet program earlier this year. The claim, which does not name the girl, alleges that the sexual acts occurred on June 14.
Details of the allegations first surfaced in June, as the LAPD was investigating the theft of department cruisers, ballistic vests and other equipment from the 77th Street Division. Three cadets led police on a wild chase while allegedly driving the stolen cruisers in South L.A., police have said.
The girl was among seven cadets arrested in connection with the thefts. A review of text messages between her and Cain, who was assigned to 77th Street Division’s equipment room, revealed evidence of unlawful sexual contact, according to Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck.
Beck personally arrested Cain, who was charged with committing lewd acts upon a child, oral copulation with a minor and unlawful sexual intercourse in July. Cain has yet to enter a plea on those charges, as he is awaiting trial on unrelated felony weapons charges in San Bernardino County. Cain, a 10-year veteran of the LAPD, resigned last month.
Carrillo said the teen was so traumatized by her interactions with Cain that she did not inform police about them when she was arrested. The attorney also alleged that supervisors at 77th Street Division allowed Cain “unfettered access” to the girl, though he did not claim they knew of the alleged sexual relationship.
At the time, LAPD policy did not forbid one-on-one interactions between officers and members of department youth programs.
Carrillo also said other officers at 77th Street Division knew about the improper use of LAPD vehicles by cadets and failed to intervene. Supervisors “turned a blind eye” to the fact that officers were giving cadets the keys to their vehicles, according to the claim.
The LAPD has repeatedly said no other officers have been accused of wrongdoing in the cadet scandal.
Cain’s attorney, Bill Seki, declined to comment on the claim.
LAPD spokesman Josh Rubenstein said he could not comment on pending litigation. Asked about Carrillo’s claims that other officers knew that cadets had access to LAPD vehicles, Rubenstein said the agency continues to investigate the circumstances of the cadet scandal.
A spokesman for the Los Angeles city attorney’s office said he had not viewed the filing and could not comment further.
Beginning in January, the officer “groomed, seduced, coerced and tricked” the girl before performing lewd acts upon her, according to the claim, which seeks monetary damages. The officer “pretended” to be the girl’s friend and took her to Six Flags Magic Mountain and sent the teen inappropriate text messages, according to the claim.
Law enforcement sources previously told The Times that Cain took the girl to the amusement park on the day of the alleged sexual assaults. Beck has said Cain sexually assaulted the girl during three separate incidents that day, none of which took place on LAPD property.
Afterward, the officer feared the girl might become pregnant and suggested she take an emergency contraceptive pill, according to the claim.
The LAPD, the claim contends, knew the officer was a “problem” and had been subject to a personnel complaint while working in the Van Nuys division in 2015, before he was transferred to 77th Street Division. Beck had said Cain did not have a significant disciplinary history.
Cain’s mother, Maria, also previously told The Times that her son had expressed worry about a situation involving a young girl shortly before he was arrested.
“Oh Mom, there is a problem with a girl,” Cain said, according to this mother. “I have a bad feeling about it.”
The cadet scandal led the department to change some policies governing the program, and sparked calls for an audit of all LAPD youth initiatives. The cadet program was suspended at 77th Street and Pacific divisions after news of the thefts and the allegations against Cain became public.
The LAPD has yet to present cases for prosecution against the seven cadets accused of stealing property or leading officers on car chases, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.
Follow @JamesQueallyLAT and @lacrimes for crime and police news in California.
UPDATES:
5:30 pm: This article was updated with a comment from the LAPD.
This article was originally published at 2:30 p.m.
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