Full Notification

On March 23rd, 2024, Detectives with the Kern County Sheriff's Office Special Victims Unit conducted a decoy operation with the intent of identifying and arresting subjects attempting to meet with minors to engage in sexual acts.

During the operation, a detective posing as a 15-year-old minor was contacted by a subject later identified as 68-year-old Mark Derosia from Michigan. Detectives also learned that the suspect in this investigation was a prior Chief of Police with the Delano Police Department. The ensuing conversation turned sexual in nature, and a plan was made for Derosia to meet with the decoy to engage in sexual acts.

On March 26, 2024, a warrant was obtained for Derosia's arrest with a bail amount of $100,000.

Derosia was located in the area of Olive Drive and Knudsen Drive and taken into custody without incident. Derosia was charged with violations of Penal Code 288.3(a), contacting a minor with the intent to commit sexual acts, and 288.4(a)(1), arranging to meet a minor with the intent to commit sexual acts. Derosia was booked into the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Reception Center.

Anyone with information related to this case or information related to sexual crimes against minors is urged to contact the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at (661)861-3110 or Secret Witness at (661)322-4040.