A sheriff's deputy has been arrested on suspicion of sex crimes and soliciting bribes from women while on duty.
Deputy Matthew Linderman was taken into custody about 9 a.m. Friday at sheriff's headquarters in San Bernardino, according to sheriff's spokeswoman Arden Wiltshire. He posted bail.
Linderman, who has been with the department since 1998 and was assigned to the Victorville station, was charged with seven counts in a felony complaint filed Friday in Victorville Superior Court.
The deputy was a part of a two-man team in the Retail Theft Unit. The team's duties included handling thefts, shoplifting and other crimes in the city's stores.
Sheriff's deputies began an investigation after receiving a complaint about Linderman, Wiltshire said. All of the victims were adults.
"We take these complaints very seriously," Wiltshire said. "A thorough investigation was conducted, and the report was submitted to the district attorney."
Wiltshire would not discuss specific details of the case.
Prosecutors charged Linderman with sexual battery by restraint, soliciting another to engage in lewd conduct, oral copulation under color of authority and four counts of soliciting a
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bribe.
If convicted, the deputy could face more than 30 years in state prison.
Linderman, 30, was booked into West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga and was being held on $500,000 bail.
Prosecutors in Victorville said Linderman could be arraigned as early as Monday.
The crimes are alleged to have occurred between April and July, according to the complaint reviewed by Gary Roth, chief deputy district attorney in Victorville.
But Roth said he could not elaborate.
"I really can't go into the facts," Roth said. "That will all be presented in court."
The case has been assigned to Deputy District Attorney Steve Sinfield for prosecution.
Contact writer Mike Cruz at (909) 386-3880 or via e-mail at mike.cruz@sbsun.com.
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