Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) Civilian Investigator assigned to Special Investigations, as well as a member of the Internet Crimes against Children Task Force (ICAC), received a cyber-tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), revealing hundreds of videos and images of child abuse and sexual material uploaded to different online accounts.  The investigation revealed Santa Ana resident Joseph Martinez, 33, was storing and trading the uploaded images and videos with other users across several online platforms.

The SAPD Investigator subsequently identified Martinez after executing multiple (9) online search warrants and located Martinez’s residence.

On April 13, 2021, the SAPD Investigator and Detectives from the Special Crimes Section executed one final search warrant at Martinez’s residence in the City of Santa Ana.  Detectives seized multiple electronic devices during the search warrant that are currently being examined for additional content. 

Martinez was arrested and charged with 3 counts of : Distribution of child pornography – 311.1(a) PC, Possession and control of child pornography – 311.11(a) PC, Distributing obscene matter to a minor – 311.2(d) PC, and Bringing obscene material into California – 311.11 (c)(1) PC.

The SAPD is proud to be a partner in the Los Angeles Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce – a task force dedicated to the investigation and prosecution of persons involved in child abuse and exploitation involving the internet https://www.icactaskforce.org/