Fire Captain From Thousand Oaks Out on Bail After $3.25 Million Bond After Accused of Child Abuse

PASADENA, CA — Christopher Ramstead, a veteran fire captain from Thousand Oaks  with 21 years of service, is officially out of jail and under house arrest. At 4:57 AM on Saturday, February 14, 2026, the 47-year-old was released after posting a massive $3.25 million bond.

The release marks a controversial turn in a case that has sent shockwaves through the Pasadena Fire Department and the Thousand Oaks community where Ramstead resides.

The Timeline: Two Arrests in One Week

The legal saga for the Fire Station 38 captain began earlier this month with a rapid succession of police actions:

• February 4, 2026: Ramstead was first arrested by the LAPD and held on a $550,000 bond. He posted bail and was released the following day.
• February 6, 2026: Just 24 hours later, the District Attorney’s office filed a formal nine-count complaint. Ramstead was re-arrested and initially ordered to be held without bail.
• February 9, 2026: Ramstead appeared in a Van Nuys courtroom and pleaded not guilty to all charges.
• February 13, 2026: During a bail review hearing, a judge set the new, significantly higher bail at $3.25 million, which Ramstead’s family posted shortly after midnight the following morning.

The Charges: Two Decades of Allegations

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has filed nine felony counts of lewd acts upon a child under the age of 14.

The charges involve three separate victims, with the alleged abuse occurring across a 22-year span in both Los Angeles and Ventura counties:

• Victim 1: Abuse allegedly occurred between March and October 2003.
• Victim 2: Abuse allegedly occurred between December 2011 and December 2013.
• Victim 3: Abuse allegedly occurred on or about July 26, 2025.

If convicted on all counts, the man who was promoted to captain in 2016 faces a maximum sentence of 135 years to life in state prison.

The Release: "Total House Arrest"

While Ramstead is back at his Thousand Oaks home, he is living under what his defense team calls "ironclad" conditions. To secure his release, Ramstead had to agree to:

1. GPS Monitoring: He must wear an ankle monitor at all times.
2. Electronic Ban: He is strictly forbidden from using any computers, smartphones, or electronic devices.
3. No Contact with Minors: He is prohibited from being around any children other than his own.
4. Travel Restrictions: He has surrendered his passport and cannot leave his residence except for court appearances or medical emergencies.

The Department’s Response

The City of Pasadena has immediately placed Ramstead on administrative leave. In a formal statement, officials emphasized that the alleged incidents occurred "outside the scope of the employee's official duties."

DA Nathan Hochman noted that Ramstead’s position as a public servant makes the allegations "profound," stating, "No title, badge, or uniform places anyone above the law."

The LAPD Juvenile Division continues to investigate and suspects there may be additional, unidentified victims. Anyone with information is urged to contact detectives at (818) 374-5415.