Retired police Sergeant arrested for having sexual encounter with two 12 yr old boys

**Terminator** · 10-12-06, 02:56 AM

LOS ANGELES, October 11, 2006 - A retired police sergeant and former television reporter was charged with having a sexual encounter with two 12-year-old boys in a cruise ship spa, authorities said.

Roderick Bernsen, 58, was arrested at the Port of Los Angeles Saturday by FBI agents investigating a complaint by the mother of one of the boys, authorities said.
He is charged with one count of abusive sexual contact. Bail was set at $850,000 Tuesday during his first appearance in federal court.

"He is shocked and devastated by these charges, as minor as they are," said Bernsen's attorney, James Epstein. "I think we should let this play out in court."

While aboard a Princess cruise ship to Mexico, Bernsen met and befriended the boys after they sneaked into a spa restricted to men and women over the age of 16, according to an FBI affidavit.

The boys alleged that Bernsen inappropriately touched himself in front of them in the steam room. They claim he later followed them to shower stalls where he inappropriately touched them, the affidavit said.

The boys told their parents about the alleged incident, which led to a heated discussion between a boy's mother and Bernsen, the affidavit said. They reported him to the security staff, which also spoke with Bernsen about the complaints.

"Bernsen stated that he spoke to the boys, but not in an inappropriate manner," the document said.

Bernsen, who lives in Colorado, was a law enforcement Specialist for a local television station until he left in 2004. His broadcasting career followed service in the Los Angeles Police Department as a sergeant and spokesman.

From late last year until May, he filled in as a host on KFI-AM, Los Angeles' most popular talk radio station.

**TheeBadOne** · 10-12-06, 05:49 AM

**OFK** · 10-12-06, 07:09 AM

Something is just not right there.

**kay88** · 10-12-06, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by OFK

Something is just not right there.

+1 Something is very wrong in that situation

**chris2001** · 10-12-06, 01:16 PM

Whats wrong in this situation is that a person that use to be sworn to protect people is now takind advantage of people. I swear the closer we get to the end of a year people begin to totally loose their minds.

**Ducky** · 10-12-06, 01:51 PM

OK, his lawyer thinks the charges are minor?? Holy hell, what does he consider major?

Devil's Advocate here, 12 year old boys have been known to lie. And they had just knowingly snuck into an area restricted to them. Could be he fussed at the boys and this is their way of getting revenge? Stranger things have happened.

**OFK** · 10-12-06, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by Ducky

OK, his lawyer thinks the charges are minor?? Holy hell, what does he consider major?

Devil's Advocate here, 12 year old boys have been known to lie. And they had just knowingly snuck into an area restricted to them. Could be he fussed at the boys and this is their way of getting revenge? Stranger things have happened.

Orrrrrrrrr he said nothing, was probably very nice, they got in trouble from mommy and daddy and made up something quick to get out of the hot seat.

**BigDawg** · 10-12-06, 02:23 PM

"He is shocked and devastated by these charges, as minor as they are," said Bernsen's attorney, James Epstein. "I think we should let this play out in court."

This statement really bothers me. Somebody needs to slap the hell out of this lawyer and wake him the f**k up!!! And Ill volunteer for it. I wonder how he would feel if it was his kids.

But yes I agree something doesn't really seem right about it.

**OFK** · 10-12-06, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by BigDawg3533

"He is shocked and devastated by these charges, as minor as they are," said Bernsen's attorney, James Epstein. "I think we should let this play out in court."

This statement really bothers me. Somebody needs to slap the hell out of this lawyer and wake him the f**k up!!! And Ill volunteer for it. I wonder how he would feel if it was his kids.

But yes I agree something doesn't really seem right about it.

I am normally the first to jump up and down and condemn a person, especially in a crime like this. I want to jump through the tv when I see the dateline shows, but for some reason, I just don't see it here, not yet anyway.

**kimby** · 10-12-06, 11:14 PM

Ducky and OFK.

His lawyer was on the local news saying that since it involved touching one of them WITH HIS TOE, it's minor as sex charges go. I don't think it's right for them to minimize the situation, but I have trouble believing the whole story.