In March 2020, a Santa Ana Police Department Civilian Investigator, assigned to Special Investigations, was assigned investigative responsibility of an internet investigation involving child pornography and child exploitation. It is alleged, the suspect, 28-year-old Jaime Castillo, sought to trade child erotica and child pornography online.
The investigation revealed Castillo sent over 75 pornographic images and videos involving young children. Castillo’s IP address was captured during an online exchange. The IP address resolved to an address in the City of Santa Ana. Castillo was the subject of a two-month investigation where nine search warrants were authored, which uncovered thousands of images and videos of child erotica and child pornography stored by Castillo.
Early this morning, SAPD Civilian Investigator, along with members of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Taskforce, executed a search warrant at Castillo’s residence in the City of Santa Ana. Today’s search warrant reaffirmed the suspicion that Castillo was storing the sexually explicit files in several data storage devices located in his home. Castillo was arrested and several electronic devices were seized for further forensic examination.
Castillo was arrested on a felony charge of possession of child pornography 311.1(a) PC.
The SAPD Civilian Investigator is a newer member of the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce – a taskforce dedicated to the investigation and prosecution of persons involved in child abuse and exploitation involving the internet https://www.icactaskforce.org/
