LA County coroner's investigator arrested for sexual battery

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- An investigator with the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office has been arrested after police said he inappropriately touched a co-worker and sent her unwanted obscene pictures.

Los Angeles police said 46-year-old Ryan Hays, a nine-year-veteran of the coroner's office, was arrested on Thursday.

Officials said Hays sexually battered a female colleague on Jan. 4, 2015, and also repeatedly sent her lewd and obscene pictures despite her objections.

"Lt. Ryan Hays was arrested and has been on administrative leave, assigned with pay at home until today, when we were advised he was charged and he's assigned without pay at this time," assistant chief with the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office Ed Winter said.

Hays was arrested on one count of sexual battery, one count of exposure of private parts and six counts of harassment.