The Los Alamitos Police Department has arrested a 20-year-old resident of Granada Hills and charged him with a variety of sex crimes in connection with a child exploitation case, according to the Los Alamitos Police Department.
According to Robert Acosta, public information officer for the department, officers arrested Taylor Dean Risner, 20, and charged with a number of sex crimes including luring a child for sex, possession of child pornography, meeting a minor for sex, the manufacture of child pornography and statutory rape and the case is still under investigation.
Acosta said the investigation and arrest occurred in Los Alamitos because Risner was employed at the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Al and that one of the crimes for which Risner is now charged occurred in the city.
Acosta confirmed that the investigation began after the Los Alamitos Police Department received a call earlier this year on March 20 regarding the welfare check of a missing girl from the State of New Jersey.
Through a diligent investigation, it was revealed that the young girl had fallen victim to several sex crimes. Furthermore, it was discovered that Risner had also victimized another minor in the State of New Jersey.
“Through our investigation, it has come to our attention that Taylor Dean Risner was employed as a special needs aide for Gledhill Elementary in North Hills from August 2022 to March 2023. Among the children he interacted with were non-verbal autistic children. We share your concern in this discovery and understand that this news may be disturbing to anyone who might have an association with Gledhill Elementary,” the department said in a statement.
“The Los Alamitos Police Department would like to emphasize its commitment to the safety and well-being of children within our community. We take any crimes involving child exploitation very seriously. We want to assure the community that we are working closely with the school administration to gather all relevant details and provide support to ensure our schools are safe and nurturing spaces for our community’s youth,” said Police Chief Michael Claborn.
The Los Alamitos Police Department encourages anyone with additional information related to this case or any other potential victims to contact Detective Flynn at 562-431-2255 x422 or eflynn@cityoflosalmitos.org.
“We understand the sensitive nature of these crimes, and all information will be handled with the utmost confidentiality and care,” the police chief said.
“We would like to express our gratitude to the dedicated investigators who worked on this case, as well as our law enforcement partners the Burlington County Prosecutors Office, in New Jersey. Together, we remain committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of our society and holding offenders accountable,” he said in the statement.
Further updates on this case will be provided as they become available.