Steven Fernandez was arrested Wednesday after Los Angeles Police Department disclosed that the 15-year-old YouTube star and skateboarder was using his celebrity status to sexually exploit minors. According to reports, Fernandez’ manager José Barajas, 22, and fellow skateboarder Keelan Dadd, 27, were also arrested.
On Thursday, LAPD issued a statement where they reveal that this was not an all-of-the-sudden arrest, detectives orchestrated the operation after the victim, a 12-year-old girl whose identity was not revealed, contacted the authorities stating that Fernandez had “promised to introduce the girl to A-list performers an appear in his nonexistent MTV special in return for her engaging in sexual acts with him, Barajas, and Dadd.”
All three men face charges of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14. Barajas and Dadd were released after posting bails at $475, 000 and $200,000, respectively. Fernandez was released to his mother and ordered to wear an ankle bracelet.
According to Detective Ninette Toosbuy, “the suspects tended to cruise West San Fernando Valley, Hollywood, and Compton, looking for young girls to solicit.” The LAPD is “taking exceptional measures to find additional victims because the fate of some young lives may be at stake.”
Recent reports state that Fernandez’ attorneys are claiming the teenage boy was victimized by the other adults, Barajas and Dadd, much like the alleged victim was taken advantage of. Dadd’s attorney denies his client’s presence during any of the events and says he had no knowledge of the allegations being made.
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