“This is important work conducted by local, state and federal law enforcement to protect our children from harm.  Our children should grow up in safe environments that encourage health, happiness and productive lives.  Thank you to those who investigate these crimes, we know that it can take a toll on one’s mental health.”

CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

SACRAMENTO – On October 17, 2024, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office announced the results of a long-term investigation into people who have been using the internet to share Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), also referred to as child pornography. Subjects involved in these activities now use very deliberate and sophisticated methods to send and receive CSAM to avoid detection.

During these investigations, detectives identified specific targets based on their higher level of sophistication, the quantity of files they have shared, people in positions of trust, and potential access to victims. These targets were located in several counties throughout Northern California, including Yuba, Sutter, Yolo, Humboldt, Trinity, Shasta, Siskiyou, Mendocino, and Nevada counties.

Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force detectives worked with nearly 30 affiliate members to conduct follow-up investigations, including surveillance, writing additional search warrants, and providing logistics, manpower, local histories, and additional resources.

After this initial investigation was conducted, 21 targets were selected. During three weeks in September, detectives served search warrants at 21 locations related to these investigations in these nine counties. The suspects were from various occupations and backgrounds, including a pilot, scientific researcher, parents, mechanics, IT, independent contractors, engineers, and some retired individuals.

In this operation, detectives were able to rescue two children under the age of four who were being sexually assaulted by a relative. These incidents had not been reported to anyone prior, including law enforcement or Child Protective Services.

At another location, detectives located 30 illegal firearms inside the suspect’s residence. One suspect was found to have more than 4,600 files of CSAM and more than 27,000 files of child erotica. Over 200 electronic devices were seized as evidence, as well as physical compact discs and other media storage devices filled with CSAM and books with child erotica. Detectives seized 61 devices from one residence alone.

After the initial residential search warrants, detectives conducted additional follow-ups with additional search warrants, conducting forensics of the electronics, additional interviews, and submitted arrest warrants for suspects. While some of these arrest warrants have been obtained, others are still pending the review of the forensics on the electronic devices.

At least two of these cases are under review for federal charges. Detectives learned one suspect had resigned from his job the day after the search warrant was conducted and fled the country after he learned of the investigation.

This multi-agency operation was done collaboratively and would not have been possible without the following agencies:

• Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office

• California Highway Patrol-CCIU

• California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

• Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI)

• Homeland Security Investigations

• Sutter County District Attorney’s Office

• Marysville Police Department

• Yuba City Police Department

• Yuba County Sheriff’s Office

• Yolo County Sheriff’s Office

• Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office

• Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office

• California Department of Fish and Wildlife

• California Department of Justice

• Redding Police Department

• Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office

• Etna Police Department

• Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office

• Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office

• Placer County Sheriff’s Office

• Sacramento Police Department

• Folsom Police Department

• Elk Grove Police Department

• Citrus Heights Police Department

• Sacramento County Probation Office

• Weed Police Department

• Shasta County Sheriff’s Office

• Shasta County District Attorney’s Office

• Tracy Police Department

• Trinity County Sheriff’s Office

• Grass Valley Police Department

• Nevada County Sheriff’s Office

• Nevada County District Attorney’s Office