LHS psychologist arrested during multi-agency operation targeting sexual predators

Wednesday, September 1, 2021 - 6:01pm By The Leader Staff

Suspect Christian Loeffler

A Lemoore Union High School District school psychologist was one of 16 individuals arrested during a multi-agency operation targeting human trafficking and sexual predators with the Central Valley.

The operation was held on August 26, 27, and 28.

A Kings County Sheriff’s Department press release confirms that a Lemoore Union High School District school psychologist was one of the 16 arrested during what was referred to as Operation Link Up.

The high school district says it was notified by law enforcement about the employee and suspect Christian Loeffler's arrest.

District officials say they intend to cooperate with the Sheriff’s Office during its investigation into Loeffler’s arrest and that it should be noted that no students were involved.

“The district takes its obligation to protect its students very seriously and does everything in its power to ensure that it hires and retains the best possible employees,” district officials wrote.

In response to Loeffler’s arrest, the district says he has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation. District administration told The Leader that Loeffler has been with the school district for four years.

During the operation, law enforcement officials from the various agencies involved posed as 13-year-old and 16-year-old juveniles on several online social media sites. Over the three-day period, 16 adult individuals contacted the decoy juveniles and solicited them for sexual acts. All 16 suspects agreed to meet the underage decoy at various locations within the county to complete the sexual act.

According to a press release from the Kings County Sheriff’s Office, all suspects were arrested and booked into the Kings County Jail on various charges related to arranging to meet a minor for sexual acts, meeting at an agreed-upon location for sexual acts, and sending sexually explicit materials to a minor.

Also, during the operation, Lemoore Police Department detectives posed as adults looking to be paid for sexual acts on several social media outlets. During the operation, a suspect, Eric A. Jauregui, 33, of Hanford, was arrested for soliciting prostitution.

Those suspects arrested during the operation included:

Edward Zuniga, 45, of Hanford

Christian Loeffler, 35, of Lemoore

Miguel Guarchaj Gomes, 29, of Visalia

Timothy Rankin, 60, of Exeter

Netzahaulcoyotl Trujillo, 39, of Hanford

Josefat Gutierrez, 46, of Hanford

Jose Huerta Garcia, 36, of Hanford

Domingo Martinez, 40, of Mendota

John Cha, 22, of Fresno

Alberto G. Martinez, 34, of Yettem

Chris Raymond Brown, 40, of Hanford