FDNY Captain Being Extradited To California, Accused Of Sex Crimes Against Kids
BAY SHORE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- An FDNY captain is being extradited Monday to Los Angeles to face charges of sex crimes against children.
Wilbert Riera, 51, was arrested Friday at his Staten Island stationhouse. He will face six counts of sex crimes against children in L.A., where the acts allegedly took place, WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs reported.
Riera, a 21-year Emergency Medical Service veteran, has been suspended without pay for 30 days pending charges, the maximum allowed by state law, the FDNY said.
Riera is a past president of the Brentwood Legion Ambulance service.
In his hometown of Bay Shore, Long Island, the captain's next-door neighbor, Bill Smith, said he was "shocked" to hear the accusations.
"He lives with his mom. He takes care of her," Smith told Xirinachs. "And he's always friendly. Waves to everybody. ... After Sandy, he was asking everybody if they were OK."
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