Mexico

Long Beach Man Arrested On Suspicion Of Child Porn, Molestation

The arrest of Sandoval-Lepe stemmed from a year-long investigation that began in September 2017 when undercover sheriff's detectives obtained child pornography from Sandoval-Lepe over the Internet, the statement said.

A Long Beach man was arrested on suspicion of child pornography and molestation of a child in Mexico, authorities announced Wednesday.

Jonathan Sandoval-Lepe was taken into custody Monday at his home by FBI agents and members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Human Trafficking Bureau, according to a statement from the sheriff's department.

The arrest of Sandoval-Lepe stemmed from a year-long investigation that began in September 2017 when undercover sheriff's detectives obtained child pornography from Sandoval-Lepe over the Internet, the statement said.

A search warrant was served at Sandoval-Lepe's home and he was found in possession of child pornography, authorities said.

During questioning, Sandoval-Lepe allegedly implicated himself in the molestation of a child in Mexico. Electronic devices belonging to the suspect were seized and forensically analyzed, the statement said.

With assistance from the FBI, the victim and her parents were located and interviewed regarding the crimes. The victim was between 12 and 16 years of age during the molestation.

On Friday, the federal grand jury returned a five-count indictment against Sandoval-Lepe for production, receipt and possession of child pornography, traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct and illicit sexual conduct in a foreign country, authorities said.

Trial was scheduled for Oct. 6. If convicted on all counts, Sandoval-Lepe faces a sentence of up to 130 years in prison.

Copyright CNS - City News Service
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