STOCKTON — The Stockton Police Department has arrested one of their own officers based on three charges involving inappropriate contact with a minor.
Officer Matthew Huff, 28, was booked into San Joaquin County Jail Saturday morning. His bail was set at $253,000. He was released from custody later in the day.
Huff was charged with contacting a minor with the intent of sex, sending harmful matter to seduce a minor and annoying or molesting a child under 18. Specifics behind the charges were unknown as of Saturday, though Stockton Police did confirm the minor is a female.
He has been with the Stockton Police Department since December 17, 2012.
The department says Huff has been placed on administrative leave pending further investigation.
In a written statement, Stockton Police Public Information Officer Joe Silva said, “These actions are a major departure from the values and professionalism of the Stockton Police Department. Accountability is critical to maintaining public trust.”
Neighbors in the Galt community where the five-year Stockton Police veteran lived were shaken by the news. They said he was a great man who they never thought would be involved with a minor. Residents added that he has lived in the neighborhood for about three years and has a wife and baby.
Huff’s father and brother also work with the department. They are the first family to have three members sworn into the Stockton Police Department.