Former CHP officer convicted in attempted sexual encounter with minor

A former California Highway Patrol officer, Brian Pardue, has been found guilty by a Kern County jury of attempting to meet a minor for a sex act. Pardue was convicted of contacting a minor with the intent to commit a sex offense and arranging to meet a minor for a sex act. He now faces potential prison time and lifetime sex offender registration. Pardue's defense argued that he believed he was communicating with an adult, as the decoy account used in the sting operation was of an 18-year-old woman. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 2.