California Scheming: Tattoos for Loot?

(CBS)  A Sacramento man is in jail for allegedly tattooing children as young as 11-years-old as payment for stolen property like laptops and video games, according to Sacramento police, CBS station KOVR reports.

Police say 30-year-old Eugene Eaton gave tattoos to as many as four young kids in exchange for stolen property. A 13-year-old has also been arrested, the station reports. Police say the teen has tattoos on both arms and his chest.

Neighbor's had wondered where the young boys were getting their ink. "We had seen a couple of kids with tattoos," said Eaton's neighbor Brittnae Heard. "We're like 'who is doing their tattoos so young?' because I know it's illegal."

Sacramento Police Captain Daniel Hahn says Eaton told them he didn't know the children were so young, despite the fact that the 13-year-old had his birth date tattooed on his arm, KOVR reports.

But Eaton's family paints a different picture. Eaton's brother says only one boy gave his brother a laptop in exchange for a tattoo, KOVR reports. He says they didn't know the laptop was stolen. He also says the boy's mother gave Eaton permission for the tattoo.

"The boy's mom called, told us how the name was spelled," said Eaton's brother, Brandon Smith.

Police say more arrests could be made in the case, the station reports.

Local Video from CBS13 in Sacramento

---