A captain with the Pasadena Fire Department has been charged with nine counts of committing lewd acts with a minor under age 14. Prosecutors allege he sexually abused three victims over a period spanning more than two decades.
Christopher James Ramstead, 47, of Thousand Oaks was arrested Wednesday and, if convicted, faces up to 135 years to life in state prison, according to the L.A. County district attorney’s office. He pleaded not guilty Monday and was ordered held without bail.
The alleged abuse of three minors took place between March 2003 and July 2025. Prosecutors believe other minors may have been harmed and are asking any additional victims, or people with knowledge of Ramstead’s alleged crimes, to contact the Los Angeles Police Department’s Juvenile Division at (818) 374-5415.
Ramstead is a firefighter and paramedic who was hired by the Pasadena Fire Department in 2005 and promoted to the rank of captain in 2016.
The city of Pasadena said in a statement that the alleged incidents occurred while Ramstead was off duty. He is on administrative leave while the investigation against him continues.
“These allegations describe years of sexual abuse of children by someone who was repeatedly placed in positions of trust,” L.A. County Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman said in a statement. “The harm alleged here is profound, and no title, badge or uniform places anyone above the law.”
Hochman encouraged additional victims to come forward and assured the public that his office would “aggressively pursue justice and stand with survivors.”
Ramstead is due back in court Friday for a bail review hearing.
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