San Francisco Police Bust Child Porn Distribution Ring
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- Five members of an alleged state-wide online child porn distribution ring have been arrested in an investigation by San Francisco police, authorities announced Tuesday.
Taken into custody on child pornography charges were: Gary Waite, age 38 of San Francisco; Danica Morais, age 34 of San Francisco; Lorenzo Brown, age 36 of San Francisco; Justyn Tomblyn, age 35 of Los Angeles and Michael Brown, age 42 of Sacramento.
Authorities said an investigation of the ring by the SFPD Internet Crimes Against Children unit began in March when detectives identified Waite and Morais as being involved in uploading and distributing child pornography involving children under the age of 10 through several online sites.
In June, Waite was taken into custody on charges of possession and distribution of child pornography. Morais was taken into custody of day later and also faces the same two charges.
Further investigation by San Francisco detectives led them to Brown -- who was already in custody on an unrelated charge in San Mateo County jail. Detectives allege that Brown downloaded and saved child pornography.
The investigation also led detectives to Los Angeles where Tomblyn was arrested by officers with the Los Angeles ICAC Task Force in August.
Brown's September arrest in Sacramento came in the wake of evidence discovered on Morais' computer.
Investigators said that if you feel you may have been a victim or have had any suspicious contact with the suspects please contact the Special Victims Unit (415) 558-5500.