Former OC Deputy Faces Charges of Child Pornography and Unauthorized Computer Use
Former Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Arrested on Child Pornography Charges
A former deputy with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department was arrested on Tuesday morning, facing serious charges including possession of child pornography and misuse of a confidential law enforcement database.
Fernando Melo Flores, 40, an Irvine resident who worked at John Wayne Airport, allegedly committed these offenses while still serving as a sworn officer. His resignation occurred during the ongoing investigation, as confirmed by the Orange County District Attorney’s office.
According to court documents, Flores showed up at his ex-girlfriend’s home late at night on August 23, 2025, persistently calling and texting her. Following these incidents, she sought a temporary restraining order against him. Remarkably, just a day after the order was issued, Flores reportedly returned to her residence.
The investigation uncovered disturbing evidence on Flores’ phone, including multiple images of child pornography. Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer expressed outrage at the revelation, stating, “No child should be subject to sexual abuse and to know that someone who was supposed to be protecting public safety as a sworn law enforcement officer was collecting images of child pornography like baseball cards for his own sexual gratification is beyond repulsive.”
Additionally, investigators discovered screenshots from the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) that included searches related to his ex-girlfriend, her current boyfriend, and the boyfriend’s ex. Unauthorized access to this database constitutes a criminal offense.
Flores now faces two felony charges and one misdemeanor, with the case still under investigation. It remains unclear if he has legal representation. If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of three years and eight months in state prison, along with six months in Orange County jail.
