VAN NUYS, Calif.
A Pasadena Fire Department captain has been charged with nine felony counts alleging he sexually abused three children under 14 over more than two decades in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, prosecutors stated Monday.
Christopher James Ramstead, 47, of Thousand Oaks is accused of committing lewd acts on minors between March 2003 and July 2025. Authorities allege the crimes involved multiple victims.
“These allegations describe years of sexual abuse of children by someone who was repeatedly placed in positions of trust,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said.
Ramstead pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Monday. A judge ordered him held without bail. A bail hearing is set for Feb. 13 at the Van Nuys Courthouse.
Ramstead is a firefighter-paramedic and captain with the Pasadena Fire Department. If convicted, he faces up to 135 years to life in state prison.
The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department.