FBI Rounds-Up 8 in LA Child Porn Distribution Ring
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has now arrested a stunning eight pedophiles in a raid that spanned Los Angeles, California, in the Department of Justice’s Operation Safe Childhood.
Federal charges have been brought against the eight pedophiles, who were arrested by members of a multi-agency task force involving the FBI and Homeland Security aimed at fighting the production of child pornography.
The charges involve the victimization of minors, including crimes of collecting child pornography from the dark web, the United States Attorney’s Office announced Friday.
“These cases involve acts of depravity against vulnerable young people, many of whom will continue to be victimized as photos documenting their abuse spread across the internet,” U.S. Attorney Nick Hanna said, adding that the “perceived anonymity” of the internet cannot shield child predators.
“Whether they create new images or collect videos, they can and will be caught,” Hanna said.
On Thursday, the FBI arrested two of the pedophiles in Lawndale, according to KTLA Channel 5.
Law enforcement agencies worked in unison over the past ten days, in what would become a joint sweep involving Project Safe Childhood, a Justice Department initiative.
Project Safe Childhood is intended to combat sexual exploitation and abuse of minors.
Christopher Norman Strinden, 57, of Long Beach, is charged with three counts of possession of child pornography he obtained from a now-defunct website called Playpen, which was operating on the dark web. Many of the more than 17,000 images in this case allegedly involve minors under the age of 12, including toddlers.
Nathan Pham, 27, of Long Beach, is charged with both receipt and possession of child pornography obtained through a peer-to-peer network. The possession count alleges he had images involving minors under the age of 12.
Kenneth Rudy Smith, 31, of Lawndale, is charged with one count of possession of child pornography involving victims under the age of 12 that was found during a search of his home.
Justin Schobey, 19, of Canyon Country, is charged with production, distribution, and possession of child pornography. Schobey allegedly used text messages to coerce a boy in another state to produce child pornography.
Jorge De Los Santos, 31, of South Los Angeles, who charged with two counts of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession. De Los Santos allegedly used an online peer-to-peer network to obtain sexually explicit videos depicting young males.
Fernando Vazquez Garcia, 30, of South Los Angeles, is charged with receipt of child pornography, as well as possessing videos he allegedly obtained over a file-sharing network.
The two Pedophiles who were arrested Thursday face a variety of charges.
Nestor Ramirez, 36, of South Los Angeles, is charged with production, distribution, and possession of child pornography.
Victor Manuel Diaz Romo, 53, of Lawndale, is named in an indictment alleging receipt of child pornography over a peer-to-peer network and five counts of possession of child pornography.
http://www.thegoldwater.com/news/38934-FBI-Rounds-Up-8-in-LA-Child-Porn-Distribution-Ring