Marine Corps Sgt. Jorge Lara-Pedroza is accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl while at a service recruiting center in California, local police said. (Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety)

A Marine Corps recruiter was arrested in California, accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl while at a recruiting center, local police said.

Sgt. Jorge Lara-Pedroza is facing sexual assault charges brought by the Sunnyvale police department. Marine Corps officials confirmed Thursday that Lara-Pedroza is an active-duty recruiter assigned to the Marine Corps Recruiting Station in San Francisco.

Lara-Pedroza and the girl met Oct. 28 at the recruiting center, where he is accused of assaulting her, according to police investigators.

The two initially met the previous week during a recruiting event at the girl’s school, police said.

Lara-Pedroza was arrested Oct. 29 after the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety was notified of the sexual assault. He is charged with oral copulation, penetration with a foreign object, and arranging to meet with a minor with the intent to engage in sexual conduct, police said. He was booked at the Santa Clara County Jail.

A spokesperson for Recruiting Station San Francisco said the station is aware of Lara-Pendroza’s arrest.

“The Marine Corps takes any allegations of misconduct seriously and is cooperating fully with law enforcement authorities,” said Cpl. Israel Ballaro, spokesperson for the recruiting station.