Stanton, Calif. (Dec. 11, 2025) On Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, Orange County Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Detail (SVD) investigators arrested Steven Jourdan Castro, 29, of Chino Hills, following allegations he engaged in inappropriate communication with a minor female between September and November 2025.
In November 2025, SVD investigators were contacted by the victim’s parents after they discovered inappropriate communications between their daughter and Castro. Investigators contacted the victim and initiated an investigation. The victim reported that Castro, while working as an independent freelance photographer at Pacifica High School, groomed her and engaged in inappropriate communication.
During the investigation, SVD investigators learned that Castro has worked as a freelance photographer for several high schools in north Orange County and the San Gabriel Valley.
Castro was booked into Orange County Jail for PC 288.2(a)(1), distribution of harmful matter to a minor; PC 288.3(a), contacting a minor with the intent to commit l*wd acts; PC 288.4(a)(1), arranging to meet a minor for l*wd purposes, and PC 311.4(c), attempted s*xual exploitation of a minor by soliciting images.
Due to Castro’s access to minors through his freelance photography work, SVD investigators believe there may be additional victims. Anyone with information, or anyone who believes they may have been a victim, is urged to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Detail at 714-647-7419 or 714-647-7000. Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS.
The potential penalties for each charge are as follows:
- PC 288.2(a)(1), distribution of harmful matter to a minor: This is a “wobbler” offense (can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony). As a felony, it is punishable by up to five years in state prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. A felony conviction also requires mandatory lifetime Tier Three s*x offender registration.
- PC 288.3(a), contacting a minor with the intent to commit l*wd acts: This is a felony, and the potential penalty is tied to the underlying intended offense (l*wd acts with a minor, PC 288). A conviction can result in a state prison sentence of three, six, or eight years, a fine of up to $10,000, or both, along with mandatory lifetime s*x offender registration.
- PC 288.4(a)(1), arranging to meet a minor for l*wd purposes: This is also a “wobbler” offense. If charged as a felony (which is typical, especially if the person actually goes to the meeting place or has a prior s*ex offense conviction), it is punishable by 2, 3, or 4 years in state prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. Conviction under this statute requires s*x offender registration.
- PC 311.4(c), attempted s*xual exploitation of a minor by soliciting images: This is a felony, punishable by a state prison sentence of 16 months, two years, or three years. Repeat offenders may face an additional fine of up to $50,000. Conviction also entails s*x offender registration.
In addition to incarceration and fines, a conviction on any of these felony charges results in a mandatory lifetime duty to register as a s*x offender under California Penal Code 290, which involves significant life-long restrictions and reporting requirements.