Brea Olinda Unified School District Board Member Arrested

Editor's Note: This is a developing story. It will be updated with new information as it comes in.

A member of the Brea Olinda Unified School District Board has been arrested, accused of sending “inappropriate sexual messages” to a juvenile, and committing other alleged crimes. 

Christopher Becerra, Ed.D., a former employee of the district, longtime educator, district parent, and active volunteer in the community, was arrested on Dec. 18, according to a Brea Police Department press release. He is facing charges of possession of child pornography, annoying or molesting a child, falsifying evidence, and bribing, influencing, intimidating or threatening witnesses. 

The investigation into Dr. Becerra, 42, began in mid-October, according to Brea Police Department Lieutenant Chris Haddad. It started when Brea police received a report accusing Dr. Becerra of sending an inappropriate message to a juvenile via Instagram. 

“Our original victim saw something that was inappropriate and immediately reported it to a responsible adult and that got the ball rolling,” Haddad said in a phone interview. “His bravery, and the quick response from the parent, allowed us to identify additional victims.”

Haddad shared that four detectives worked full-time on the case and executed search warrants and found "thousands of files,” including one image, on electronic communication devices. That evidence led to the identification of two additional alleged victims, according to police. Investigators believe there could be more victims and are asking for anyone with information to contact the Brea Police Department.

Dr. Becerra was also interviewed during the investigation. Spotlight Schools emailed Dr. Becerra seeking comment but did not hear back in time for publication.  

None of the alleged victims are current Brea Olinda USD students, according to Haddad and the district. “The District has no knowledge of any misconduct involving current BOUSD students or staff members, and will continue to work with the Brea Police Department to fully cooperate with this investigation,” Superintendent Brinda C. Leon wrote in a message to families sent on Dec. 18.

According to his biography on the Brea Olinda USD website, Dr. Becerra was first elected to the school board in 2022 and represents Trustee Area 4. He attended the Nov. 6 board meeting but was not present at last week’s meeting on Dec. 15.

"Our Brea Olinda school community has been shaken by the recent arrest of Board Member Christopher Becerra on extremely serious charges," Leon, Board President Carrie Flanders and Board Vice President Deana Miller wrote in a public statement issued on Dec. 19. The statement described the allegations against Dr. Becerra as “disturbing and unsettling” and stressed that student safety and well-being “guide every decision we make as a District.” 

The statement also acknowledged concerns and questions about Dr. Becerra’s continued service as a trustee while under investigation. The district leaders said they were guided by law enforcement and legal counsel regarding the limits of their legal authority.

“Based on the information known at the time and out of an abundance of caution, safety measures were implemented to ensure Becerra was not left alone with students while exercising his official duties, and appropriate monitoring occurred,” the statement said. 

The board leadership and Leon wrote that they have repeatedly urged Dr. Becerra to resign, but at the time of the statement’s release, he had yet to do so. They noted that because he is an elected official and not a district employee, the board and the superintendent lack the authority to remove him from office.

“The Board is actively consulting with legal counsel to understand what actions are available moving forward, and we will continue to share updates with the community as appropriate,” they wrote.

Dr. Becerra’s online biographies state that he is a foster and an adoptive parent and that his four children attended Brea Olinda Unified schools. He holds a doctorate in early childhood education and has more than 20 years of experience in the field. He was the administrative director of Child Development Services for Brea Olinda USD from 2010-2018. 

Dr. Becerra also serves on the North Orange County R.O.P. Board of Trustees, a position that local school board members are elected to by their own school boards. Dr. Becerra also worked as an assistant professor at Santa Ana College. Links to his faculty pages no longer appear active. The Rancho Santiago Community College District issued a statement acknowledging the arrest and said it is in communication and cooperating with law enforcement as they continue to investigate.

Dr. Becerra also operated a consulting company that contracted with local public school districts, including Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified, Santa Ana Unified, Fountain Valley and Westminster School Districts, according to the company’s website. 

The Brea Olinda USD is currently on winter break until January 5. The Board of Education is scheduled to hold a workshop on January 21, 2026 and a regular meeting, Jan. 22.

"We are grateful for the strength and compassion of our community," the district's Dec. 19 letter concludes. "Together, we remain committed to leading with transparency, integrity, and an unwavering focus on students as we move forward."

This story has been updated to include more information from the district's statement.