BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Bakersfield police detective Marc Lugo pleaded not guilty to federal charges of sexual exploitation of a minor in federal court on Thursday.
Lugo, 36, was arrested back in May, after federal investigators alleged he contacted a 15-year-old girl from South Carolina on Instagram with the intent to commit a sexual offense.
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He appeared on Thursday afternoon at the federal courthouse in downtown Bakersfield for his arraignment and remained out of custody on a personal recognizance bond. A judge granted his release earlier this week after rejecting a request from the U.S. attorney’s office to keep him detained.
Lugo, who is currently on administrative leave, is still employed by the Bakersfield Police Department.
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He is scheduled to return to federal court in Fresno on January 28 for a status conference.