O.C. investigators seek additional victims of child pornography suspect

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org; Carrie Braun, 714.647.1848, CBraun@ocsd.org

Investigators Seek Additional Victims of Child Pornography Suspect

SANTA ANA, Calif. (September 28, 2015) – On Friday, September 25, 2015, investigators from the Orange County Child Exploitation Task Force (OCCETF) arrested Christopher Brown, 42, Orange, on multiple charges related to possession of child pornography and lewd conduct with a child. Brown was arrested in an Orange County shopping center parking lot after investigators contacted him during a surveillance operation.

On Wednesday, September 16, 2015, OCCETF investigators received information from the Los Angeles Internet Crimes Against Child Task Force (LAICACTF) about Brown and his involvement in numerous acts of sexual misconduct. Brown, a professional photographer and children’s tumbling teacher, was suspected in being in possession of numerous photographs and videos depicting female minors. Investigators immediately began analyzing electronic data and conducting a preliminary investigation into Brown’s elicit sexual misconduct.

Following several days of investigation, a search warrant was executed at a hotel in the City of Irvine where Brown was discovered to have been staying. During service of the search warrant, investigators collected a computer and an external hard drive believed to have belonged to Brown. In addition, investigators collected Brown’s cellular phone and GoPro camera at the time of his arrest.

Brown works throughout the country and is believed to use his profession in order to lure his victims into taking illicit photographs and engaging in sexual misconduct. Investigators have collected numerous illicit photographs and videos and believe Brown targets female teenagers. In 2005, Brown was convicted in the State of Virginia for possession of child pornography. He failed to register as a sex registrant (CPC 290) in the State of California when he moved here several years ago.

Brown was arrested for possession and manufacturing of child pornography, digital penetration and oral copulation with a child and failure to register as a sex offender. He was booked into Orange County Jail and is currently being held on $500K bail. Brown is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, September 29, 2015.

Anyone with additional information regarding additional victims is asked to call the Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s Special Victim’s Unit at (714) 647-7418 or (714) 647-7000. Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at occrimestoppers.org.

About the Orange County Child Exploitation Task Force (OCCETF)

The Orange County Child Exploitation Task Force (OCCETF) is a multi-agency team which includes Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Newport Beach Police Department, Huntington Beach Police Department and U.S. Postal Inspection Service, assigned to investigate Internet-related crimes against children as well as crimes involving the possession, production and distribution of child pornography.

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Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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