Cerritos Sheriff's Deputy Pleads Not Guilty in Teen Explorer Sex Case

A 10-year Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy who oversaw the Explorer Program at the pleaded not guilty today to sex-related charges involving a 16-year-old girl enrolled in the program.

Manuel Enrique Perallon Jr., 36, is charged with one felony count of oral copulation of a person under 18 and one misdemeanor count of child molesting involving alleged crimes between April 29, 2011, and May 1, 2011.

Perallon, who met the girl through the program, was arrested April 25 and released on $70,000 bond. If convicted he could face up to four years in state prison.

He has been suspended by the sheriff's department, according to his attorney.  

Perallon is due back at the downtown Los Angeles courthouse July 3, when a date is scheduled to be set for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require him to stand trial.

What Is the Sheriff's Explorers Program?

The LASD's Law Enforcement Explorer Program began in 1969 to help "create new inroads of understanding between youth, law enforcement, and the general citizenry." Deputy Explorers not only help represent the sheriff's department and individual stations in the community, they also receive extensive training and actively participate in community affairs and non-hazardous law enforcement activities.

 are extremely visible and integral part of the community, helping represent the department at community events throughout the city. 

- City News Service contributed to a portion of this report.

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