FDNY Captain Accused of Hollywood Sexual Assault

A veteran FDNY EMS captain has been charged by police in California with sexual misconduct with two minors.

Captain Wilbert Riera, 51, was arrested Friday in New York afternoon on six counts of felony sex assault. The offenses allegedly occurred on September 12, 2014 in Hollywood. Captain Riera, a decorated 21 year FDNY veteran, has been suspended without pay and will be extradited to California.

According to Newsday, Captain Riera is assigned to the emergency medical division of FDNY.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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