FDNY captain arrested on suspicion of lewd acts with juveniles in Hollywood

NEW YORK (WABC) -- An FDNY EMS captain has been arrested on a felony warrant out of Los Angeles for sexual crimes against children.

Los Angeles Police Department spokeswoman Officer II Nuria Vanegas says Saturday Wilburt Riera was wanted for a Sept. 12 incident in Hollywood.

Eyewitness News has learned that Riera only transferred into EMS Battalion 23 as a captain just in the last few weeks. Friday, an FBI taskforce arrived, and left with the captain in cuffs.

In 21 years with the FDNY, Riera worked his way up the ranks, most recently serving as a captain in charge of EMS on Staten Island. Now, the Suffolk County man is in jail, and is suspended by the department, accused of sexual crimes against children on the other side of the country.

On September 12th, the Los Angeles Police Department says Riera committed lewd acts against 2 juveniles in Hollywood before traveling back to New York. He is facing multiple different counts, but the LAPD would not elaborate on the allegations against him.

Riera lives in Bay Shore, Long Island, where no one seemed to be home. Neighbors also had no interest in speaking with reporters. In the past, Riera has volunteered at the Brentwood Legion Ambulance, even serving as its past president.

The specific charges against Captain Riera are not clear, but prosecutors will reveal them on Monday in Los Angeles, when he is expected to appear in person for his arraignment. For now, he is in the custody of the NYPD, suspended by the fire department for 30 days without pay - the maximum permitted under state law.

It wasn't immediately known if Riera had an attorney.