Youth worker charged with lewd acts resigns

Deepa Bharath

NEWPORT BEACH -- The 31-year-old city employee accused of

inappropriate behavior with children, who participated in city programs

over the last two years, quit his job Wednesday, officials said.

Trenton Michael Veches submitted a brief letter of resignation that

did not state a reason, City Manager Homer Bludau said. Veches was placed

on paid administrative leave after his arrest April 17 on charges of lewd

conduct with children.

Police were tipped off by a co-worker who said Veches may have been

involved in inappropriate contact with the children.

Investigators looked through hundreds of images in Veches’ computer

and identified about 50 photos that involved children who participated in

city recreation programs in the last two years. Several of those pictures

showed Veches sucking the toes of boys between ages 6 and 10.

The Orange County district attorney has charged Veches with seven

counts of lewd conduct with children. He also faces a special one-strike

enhancement on each of those charges, which, if proved, can send him to

prison for life without eligibility for parole for at least 25 years.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges, but a judge on April 27

increased his bail amount from $250,000 to $500,000. A pretrial hearing

is scheduled for June 7. Veches is being held in Orange County Jail.

The city will continue to keep parents of the victims informed about

the investigation and available resources, Bludau said. On April 25, the

city held a meeting for parents of victims, as well as possible victims.

During that meeting, parents had an opportunity to discuss their concerns

with counselors and child advocates.