SF officer arrested on suspicion of molesting boy

Monument Boulevard and Ramona Lane, Concord, CA Monument Boulevard and Ramona Lane, Concord, CA Photo: Google Maps Photo: Google Maps Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close SF officer arrested on suspicion of molesting boy 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

A San Francisco police officer was arrested by Concord police on suspicion of molesting a 15-year-old boy while off duty, authorities said.

Richard Hastings III, 37, was arrested Aug. 21, said Concord police Lt. David Hughes, and booked on suspicion of lewd and lascivious acts with a child, sodomy with a child and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He posted bail and was released.

Contra Costa County prosecutors reviewed the case and sent it back to Concord police for more investigation, said Senior Deputy District Attorney Nancy Georgiou.

Harry Stern, an attorney for Hastings, said, "This was a consensual relationship. Rich Hastings was specifically told and reasonably believed that the other person was of age."

Hastings has been a San Francisco police officer since 2001. He was suspended without pay on the day of his arrest, said Officer Albie Esparza, a San Francisco police spokesman.