Police Officers responded to a report of inappropriate s*xual messages being sent to a juvenile from a Brea Olinda Unified School District Board member, according to the Brea Police Department.
The Brea Police Department Detective Bureau began a thorough investigation and worked closely with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office and the Brea Olinda Unified School District.
On December 18, 2025, Brea Police Detectives arrested Brea Olinda Unified School District School Board Trustee, Christopher Becerra, a 42-year-old resident of Brea, for 311.11(a) P.C., Possession of Child P*rnography, 647.6(a)(1) P.C., Annoying or M*lesting a Child, and 137(c) P.C., Falsifying Evidence, and Bribing, Influencing, Intimidate or Threatening Witnesses. Mr. Becerra is also an employee at Santa Ana College and on the Board of Trustees of the North Orange County ROP.
Becerra is an Assistant Professor, Child Development and Education Studies, Faculty Lead, Early Childhood and Elementary Education Apprenticeship and Teacher Preparation at Santa Ana College. However his employment is now in question as they have removed his web page.
During the investigation, Detectives located and identified additional victims. Due to Mr. Becerra’s access to children, Detectives believe there may be additional victims. Anyone with information, or believes they may have been a victim, are urged to contact the Brea Police Department Detective Bureau at 714-671-4469.
Future updates will be provided through the Brea Police Department’s social media pages.
For all press inquiries, contact Professional Standards Lieutenant Chris Haddad at (714) 990-7744 or chaddad@breapolice.gov.
Potential Legal Penalties
Becerra faces a combination of jail or prison time, fines, and mandatory registration for the following charges:
- Possession of Child P*rnography (PC 311.11(a)): This is a “wobbler,” meaning it can be charged as a misdemeanor (up to 1 year in county jail) or a felony (16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in state prison). Sentences may increase to 5 years if certain aggravating factors, such as high image counts or very young victims, are present.
- Annoying or M*lesting a Child (PC 647.6(a)(1)): Typically a misdemeanor for a first offense, punishable by up to 1 year in county jail and a $5,000 fine. If aggravating factors like prior convictions or entering a dwelling are present, it can escalate to a felony with 2, 4, or 6 years in prison.
- Falsifying Evidence and Witness Tampering (PC 137(c)): Section 137(c), which involves knowingly inducing false testimony or withholding information, is generally a misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in county jail.
- S*x Offender Registration: A conviction for either the child p*rnography or child m*lestation charges requires mandatory, often lifetime, registration as a s*x offender under California Penal Code 290.
Impact on Employment
Becerra’s professional standing as an Assistant Professor at Santa Ana College and a member of various boards is under immediate threat:
- Removal from Digital Presence: Santa Ana College has already removed his faculty webpage, signaling a likely suspension or administrative leave pending investigation.
- Mandatory Dismissal for Public Employees: Under California law, a felony conviction for crimes involving s*x with a minor or child pornography often triggers mandatory permanent dismissal from public school and community college employment.
- School Board Removal: As a Brea Olinda Unified School District Trustee, Becerra may be forced to vacate his seat upon a felony conviction or through a recall/removal process initiated by the board or public due to the nature of the charges.
- Impact on Credentials: A conviction would likely lead to the revocation of any professional teaching or administrative credentials by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Political Affiliation
Becerra is a Democrat and was an officially endorsed official of the Democratic Party of Orange County.
- Democratic Party Affiliation: Christopher Becerra is identified as a Democrat. He describes himself as a lifelong Democrat with a history of progressive leadership.
- Party Endorsement: He was the officially endorsed candidate of the Democratic Party of Orange County during his run for the Brea Olinda Unified School District (BOUSD) Board.
- Elected Status: Prior to his arrest on December 18, 2025, he was listed by the Orange County Democrats as an “endorsed elected official” representing BOUSD Trustee Area 4.
- Nonpartisan Office: While school board positions in California are technically nonpartisan, candidates often seek and receive formal party endorsements to signal their platform to voters.