October 11, 2007

3 arrested for child pornography possession by ICE and LAPD

LOS ANGELES - A local attorney and two other North Hollywood area residents are facing state child pornography possession charges, following their arrests yesterday in an ongoing joint operation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), and the Los Angeles Regional Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

ICE agents and detectives from the LAPD Juvenile Division and Glendale Police Department executed five simultaneous search warrants at various residences yesterday, where the following defendants were taken into custody: Steven Hoover, 66, of Granada Hills; Milton Castillo, 23, of North Hollywood; and David Earl, 59, of North Hollywood.

During the searches, investigators discovered numerous computer files containing images depicting suspected child pornography. At Earl's residence alone, more than 15,000 files were discovered in an on-site computer preview.

"These cases are a clear reminder of ICE's resolve to work closely with the LAPD and our local law enforcement partners to search out predators who use the Internet to sexually exploit innocent children," said Robert Schoch, Special Agent in Charge of the ICE office of Investigations in Los Angeles. "Some predators mistakenly believe the anonymity of cyberspace shields them from scrutiny; in fact, their use of computers and the Internet have given us new tools in our enforcement efforts to protect children."

"The Los Angeles Police Department is committed to protecting children who are victimized by predators who think they can utilize technology and other means to hide," said Captain Fabian Lizarraga, Commanding Officer of the LAPD's Juvenile Division. "This joint effort is a reminder for those who hide behind their computers that: what you do in the dark will eventually come to light. We plan on exposing these dark secrets with every opportunity we get to send a message to the predators and to protect our children."

If convicted, the defendants face a maximum six years in prison, a $10,000 fine, and the requirement to register as a sex offender for the remainder of their lives.

Suspected child predators and suspicious activity can be reported through ICE's 24-hour toll-free hotline, 866-DHS-2ICE, the LAPD's 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855) or the LAPD Internet Crimes Against Children, at 213 847-5358, as well as the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, at 1-800-843-5678 or http://www.cybertipline.com.

For information on Internet safety, please visit www.lapdonline.org.

-- 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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