Veteran CHP officer arrested in child pornography case

Patrick Francis Cooney Jr., 54, a California Highway Patrol officer, was arrested on suspicion of transmitting child pornography. Patrick Francis Cooney Jr., 54, a California Highway Patrol officer, was arrested on suspicion of transmitting child pornography. Photo: Placer County Sheriff’s Office / Placer County Sheriff’s Office Photo: Placer County Sheriff’s Office / Placer County Sheriff’s Office Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Veteran CHP officer arrested in child pornography case 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

A veteran California Highway Patrol officer was arrested on suspicion of transmitting child pornography, officials said Tuesday.

Officer Patrick Francis Cooney Jr., 54, a 26-year member of the CHP, was arrested Monday at his home in Auburn in Placer County, according Placer County Sheriff’s Office.

An investigation revealed that Cooney was “willingly transmitting” images of children under the age of 18 engaged in sex acts, officials said. Officers searched his residence and seized Cooney’s electronic devices as evidence.

The alleged incident occurred while Cooney was off-duty, according to Officer Rafael Cervantez, a CHP spokesman. Coooney was immediately placed on paid administrative leave.

CHP is “fully cooperating” with other investigative agencies and is conducting its own investigation into the allegations, said Chief Janice Mulanix of the CHP Valley Division in Sacramento.

“The CHP is a proud and professional organization,” Mulanix said. “I want to emphasize to the public that the alleged conduct of this employee does not reflect the values, hard work, dedication and professionalism of the CHP and its more than 11,000 employees.”

Cooney started in his CHP career more than two decades ago in Ventura, before moving to the agency’s North Sacramento office.

He was booked into the Placer County Jail in Auburn, officials said, and his bail was set at $50,000.

Michael Bodley is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mbodley@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @michael_bodley