Additional felony charges were filed Thursday against a registered sex offender who was out on bail in an indecent exposure case when he allegedly sent a 7-year-old relative a photo of him performing a sex act on her, via the girl's Snapchat application.
Antonio Davila, 36, of Santa Ana, allegedly sent the illicit photo to the girl last Saturday, but the victim's mother happened to see it on her daughter's tablet and quickly took a photo before the picture was automatically deleted, which is a feature of the Snapchat app, said Santa Ana police Cpl.
Anthony Bertagna. An older sibling of the girl had set up the Snapchat account, he said.
The girl's mother called police, and Davila -- who had been awaiting trial for allegedly exposing himself to a 9-year-old girl at a Dollar Tree store last September -- was arrested on Tuesday, Bertagna said.
Davila is newly charged with possession or control of child pornography and lewd or lascivious acts with a minor younger than 14, both felonies, with a sentence-enhancing allegation of committing a crime while out on bail, according to court records.
Davila was charged last year with an attempted lewd act on a child younger than 14 and indecent exposure with a prior conviction for the same, both felonies, as well as a misdemeanor count of lewd conduct in a public place -- the Dollar Tree store at 3309 S. Bristol St.
He was in the store about 3:30 p.m. last Sept. 14 when he allegedly unzipped his pants and exposed himself to a 9-year-old, Bertagna said. As he allegedly reached out to touch the girl, she screamed, prompting him to run away, police said. An employee and a witness chased after Davila, and he was arrested as police arrived on scene and saw the pursuit in progress, Bertagna said.
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Davila pleaded guilty on April 25, 2011, to misdemeanor counts of indecent exposure and child annoyance, according to court records. In that case, he exposed himself to two 15-year-old girls, Bertagna said.
Police suspect there may be more victims and encouraged anyone with information to call detectives at 714-245-8660. Orange County Crime Stoppers will accept anonymous tips at 855-TIP-OCCS.
