LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A Los Angeles police officer was charged Tuesday with molesting two young girls.
Miguel Schiappapietra, 28, pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of committing a lewd act on a child under 14 years old.
His bail was doubled to $200,000 per the prosecution’s request.
If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison.
KNX 1070’s Vytas Safronikas reported that the suspect’s attorney, David Diamond, said, “We entered a not guilty plea. We denied any allegations or special enhancements. It’s our understanding there was no lewd conduct or anything that the law would deem inappropriate or unlawful.”
Schiappapietra, a six-year veteran of the LAPD, was off duty when he was arrested Saturday. Authorities said earlier that day, the officer lured the two minors to his Castaic-area home, where he sexually assaulted them.
Officials said the girls lived in the same neighborhood as the suspect.
Schiappapietra is due back in court May 30.
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