COALINGA – On November 14, 2016, a Coalinga State Hospital (CSH) patient and a former employee were arrested following an investigation by Coalinga State Hospital police, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department and the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce.  The investigation focused on the possession of child pornography and cell phones.

The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against patient Kevin Chavez, 38, in four separate cases, with felony possession of child pornography as well as four counts of illegal possession of a cell phone within CSH Grounds.  The charges arise from incidents that occurred from January 2012 to April 2015.

Also arrested and charged was former CSH staff member Kory Cooper, 29.  Cooper is charged with one felony count of possession of child pornography and one count of possession of a cell phone with the intent to deliver the phone to a patient.  These charges are from incidents occurring in April 2015.

“This is a mental facility where the courts have sentenced criminals, mostly sexually violent predators, to be treated,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.  “State hospital police respond to and investigate crime that takes place inside those walls and surrounding grounds.”

Chavez is on the California Megan’s Law Website, listed as a sexually violent predator for an offense involving a child under 14 years of age.

Chavez and Cooper are scheduled to be arraigned later this week.