Police Officer Arrested on Molestation Charges




SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A San Francisco police officer is facing child pornography and molestation charges in Contra Costa County.
Prosecutors tell the Contra Costa Times 38-year-old Richard Hastings was arraigned on Wednesday on nine counts of lewd acts on a 15-year-old child and one count of possession of child pornography. He did not enter a plea and indicated he was looking to hire an attorney.
Hastings is accused of having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old Concord boy.
His previous attorney, Harry Stern, said in August when Hastings was arrested that Hastings believed the teenager was of legal age and their relationship was consensual.

Hastings was suspended without pay from the San Francisco police department following his arrest.