November 29, 2007

Two California schoolteachers arrested in ICE-led multi-agency child pornography probe

LOS ANGELES - Two schoolteachers are among three suspects arrested this week on state child pornography charges following the execution of 11 federal search warrants as part of an ongoing probe by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) into the downloading of child pornography off the Internet.

The search warrants were executed by ICE and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) with assistance from eight other agencies, including the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and the Pasadena, Whittier, and Long Beach police departments.

Those arrested include David Hassler, 62, a teacher at Mayfield Senior School, a private high school in Pasadena. When investigators searched Hassler's South Pasedena home, they found numerous printed images of child pornography. Initially, Hassler has been charged with possession of child pornography. Mayfield Senior School officials advise Hassler is being placed on administrative leave.

Also arrested during this week's enforcement action was Kenneth Kothe, 61, a first-grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School in Lynwood, Calif. A search of Kothe's Alhambra residence resulted in the recovery of hundreds of printed images of child pornography that he admitted to downloading and printing. Kothe was taken into custody on suspicion of possessing child pornography. According to Lynwood School District officials, Kothe is being placed on unpaid administrative leave.

The third suspect was arrested Tuesday in West Hollywood. Droobie Pooh, 39, was taken into custody after a search of his residence turned up hundreds of computer images of child pornography and homemade videotape depicting a child in explicit poses. After interviewing family members, investigators contacted representatives from the Department of Children and Family Services who removed two children from the home. In addition to the current charges, the Los Angeles Police Department is pursuing possible child molestation violations against the defendant.

"The leads in these cases came about as a result of ICE's ongoing efforts to target those who use the Internet to access and distribute child pornography," said Robert Schoch, special agent in charge of the ICE office of investigations in Los Angeles. "As this case clearly shows, those who engage in the sexual exploitation of children should no longer expect the anonymity of cyberspace to protect them."

While the individuals arrested this week were taken into custody on state charges, ICE officials emphasize that the agency's investigation into possible federal violations is ongoing.

"This operation is bittersweet for law enforcement officers," said Lieutenant Felicia Hall, officer in charge of the LAPD Child Protection Section. "It is sad and tragic to deem an operation a success, when it involves the victimization of innocent and vulnerable children. The LAPD is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to identify and bring these predators to justice."

This week's searches and arrests are part of Operation Predator, an ongoing ICE initiative targeting those who prey on and exploit children, including human traffickers, international sex tourists, Internet pornographers, and foreign national predators whose crimes make them deportable. Since Operation Predator was launched in July 2003, ICE agents have arrested more than 10,000 individuals, including more than 2,300 in California.

The public is encouraged to report suspected child predators and suspicious activity through the following channels:

• ICE's 24-hour toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE;
• LAPD's 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855);
• LAPD's Internet Crimes Against Children, at (213) 847-5358; and the
• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, at 1-800-843-5678 or http://www.cybertipline.com.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.

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