SCPD Press Release: Two Arrested in Separate Child Pornography Investigations

On May 17, 2016, the Santa Cruz Police Department conducted two separate search warrants and arrests stemming from proactive months-long child pornography investigations. In two independent investigations Robert Krietzman, 51 years old, from Watsonville and John Brookhouse, 66 years old from Scotts Valley were arrested for possession of child pornography, 311.11(a) penal code.

Robert Krietzman, 51 years old, from Watsonville 

Case 16S-03195/3199
On 5/17/16, at about 10:15 am, members of the Santa Cruz Police Department, Silicon Valley ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children) Task Force and the Santa Cruz County Sheriffs served a search warrant and arrested Robert Krietzman at his home on Hawthorne Avenue in Watsonville. A search of the residence yielded a significant amount of child pornography stored on computers. The investigation turned up child pornography at both his home and in Krietzman's car. Detectives seized a number of images depicting prepubescent children in sexual acts. Krietzman was identified as a source of the child pornography files shared on peer to peer network.

Robert Krietzman is a first grade school teacher at Martin Luther King Jr. Academy in the Alisal School District. School authorities were immediately notified of Mr. Krietzman’s actions and arrest. At this point in the investigation, none of the child pornography images appear to be related to the school. SCPD Detectives are reviewing personal and school work computers that Mr. Krietzman had access to.

Alisal School District officials are being fully cooperative with our investigation. School representatives took immediate action to remove Mr. Krietzman from the classroom. SCPD encourages parents who suspect anything inappropriate to notify the Salinas Police Department and/or Alisal School District officials.

Case 16S-03193
On 5/17/16, at about 4:30 pm, members of the Santa Cruz Police Department, Silicon Valley ICAC Task Force and the Scotts Valley Police Department served a search warrant and arrested John Brookhouse at his mobile home in the 6000 block of Scotts Valley Drive for possession of child pornography.

John Brookhouse, 66 years old from Scotts Valley

John Brookhouse was identified as a source of the child pornography files shared on peer to peer network. Detectives seized a number of computers and external drives that were used to download and/or provide child pornography on the network. John Brookhouse confessed to both downloading child pornography as well as making files available for sharing on the network. John Brookhouse was convicted in 1991 for possession of child pornography in the state of Florida.

Both investigations began in late December of 2015, SCPD investigators working in conjunction with the Silicon Valley ICAC accessed a network suspected of sharing child pornography. Over the following months, detectives used an undercover identity and were able to access shared files containing child pornography on various child pornography focused networks.

Both Robert Krietzman and John Brookhouse were booked into Santa Cruz County Jail for Possession of Child Pornography.

The Santa Cruz Police Department would like to remind parents it is imperative that they monitor their children’s social interactions, their use of computers, cell phones, and similar electronic devices as well as their children’s use of social media and other internet sites. We encourage parents to also talk with their children about the dangers involved with the use of these electronic devices and internet sites and immediately report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.

The Santa Cruz Police Department is an affiliate agency of the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce (ICAC). As such, we work with the ICAC task force both proactively and re-actively to investigate criminals who are engaged in the sexual exploitation of children. The discovery of these suspects was the result of a proactive operation conducted by the Santa Cruz Police Department.

SCPD Media Release- Arrest in Child Pornography Investigation

On April 28, 2016, the Santa Cruz Police Department concluded a months-long child pornography investigation with the arrest of Mr. Jonathan Wells, 43 years old Soquel resident. Mr. Wells works as a metal shop worker in San Jose.

Jonathan Wells, 43 years old ,Soquel resident

The investigation began in late December 2015, where SCPD investigators accessed a network suspected of distributing child pornography. Over the following months, detectives used an undercover identity and were able to access shared files containing child pornography on the network. This included child pornography files being shared by Mr. Wells.

Through continued investigation, Detectives were able to identify Mr. Wells as a source of the child pornography files shared on the network. On April 28th, SCPD Detectives served a search warrant and arrested Mr. Wells at his home in the 3700 block of Vista Drive in Soquel. Detectives seized a number of computers and external drives that were used to download and/or provide child pornography on the network.

Mr. Wells confessed to both downloading child pornography as well as making files available for sharing on the network. Mr. Wells was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail for Possession of Child Pornography.

During the search warrant, Detectives seized 39 firearms from Mr. Wells’ home. The firearms included 6 handguns,

two assault style rifles, large caliber rifles and an assorted collection of black powder firearms.

Investigators are looking into the whether the firearms were legally owned by Mr. Wells.

The Santa Cruz Police Department is an affiliate agency of the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce (ICAC). As such, we work with the ICAC taskforce both proactively and reactively to investigate criminals who are engaged in the sexual exploitation of children. The discovery of this network was the result of a proactive operation by the Santa Cruz Police Department.    

Great Detective Work Leads to Child Porn Arrest

You should know

1. Our cyber-crimes detectives are always working proactively to protect our community. 
2. We have some of the very best in the business, right here at SCPD!  

Another great piece of proactive detective work leads to this arrest. 

On Monday January 20, 2014, Santa Cruz Police Detectives arrested Mr. Christopher Schuette (30 years old) at his home in Santa Cruz for Possessing Child Pornography.

Santa Cruz Police Detectives worked in cooperation with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Taskforce.  SCPD serves as the Monterey Bay Areas liaison with these groups.

This case initiated with several cybertips regarding suspicious Internet activity.  Using sophisticated software, our detectives were able to pin down the source of the activity.  Armed with this information, Santa Cruz Police detectives obtained a search warrant for the suspect’s home.

During the search of the home, detectives discovered multiple USB drives with 1000’s of images depicting child pornography.  Many of the victims were toddler-aged children photographed in while engaged in sexual activity.

Detectives seized digital evidence as well as printed images from the home.  Detectives were able to determine that Mr. Schuette was uploading files to the Internet and they are exploring whether or not Mr. Schuette was involved in the actual sale of these pornographic images, as well.

Detectives are looking into Mr. Schuette’s previous employment history both locally and in other states where he has recently resided to determine if he worked in the child care industry or had contact with children.   Detectives believe he may have been looking for similar employment locally, prior to his arrest.

Mr. Schuette was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail on charges of Possession of Child Pornography.   

Former Teacher Arrested a Second Time for Child Pornography

A former Pajaro Valley teacher currently on Probation for possessing Child Pornography arrested AGAIN for…..Possessing Child Pornography. 

Peter Hatch, 63 years old, was arrested in 2009 for possessing “boxes and boxes” of Child Pornography by our good friends at the Sheriff’s Office.  The Sheriff’s Office put together a great case that resulted in a conviction of Mr. Hatch.  As a result, Mr. Hatch was given probation. 

Fast-forward to November 2013.  Mr. Hatch went to a local office store where he paid to have data transferred onto a DVD.  Alert store employees realized the data was actually inappropriate pictures of children.  In fact, the store employees even went so far as to search Mr. Hatch’s name on the Internet, where they found news stories of his previous arrest.  They contacted us here at Santa Cruz Police Department. 

Officer Ben Whaley took the initial report and collected the data images on November 9^th.  Ben completed some good follow up work and passed the case on to Detective Pawlak. 

On Tuesday November 12^th, our Detectives went to Mr. Hatch’s home in the 2900 block of Freedom Blvd.  and conducted a search subsequent to his probation terms.  Our detectives found more Child Pornography, photography equipment, and binoculars.   When Mr. Hatch arrived home, we greeted him with a pair of handcuffs. 

In a subsequent interview, Mr. Hatch admitted to knowing he was in violation of his probation, and his proclivity for Child Pornography.  Mr. Hatch admitted to taking inappropriate photos of children at local beaches.  In addition to finding photographs taken by Mr. Hatch, Detectives found DVD’s containing Child pornography hidden in books in his home.  When questioned about this, Mr. Hatch admitted to having similar DVD’s confiscated during his previous arrest, but he was compelled to revisit the Websites and repurchase the DVD’s.     

Mr. Hatch was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail for violating his probation.  We are exploring the possibility of the Feds taking his case.  If that isn’t possible, we will seek to add the fresh charges locally.  While he is only on one term of probation, this case qualifies him to be on our “Probation All Stars” list. 

Who knows what will happen to Mr. Hatch on this case; but should you spot him out and about with a camera or binoculars on the beach…….Call the Police, because he’s not bird watching! 

Quick Thinking Victims and Citizens Lead to Child Annoying and Child Porn Arrest

Kudos to our victims and an alert citizen who called in this information to report suspicious activity.  Their alertness and call led the arrest of this predator. 

On Tuesday September 24, 2013, Santa Cruz Police Department Detectives arrested suspect Joshua Paul James 31 years old, (Santa Cruz Resident) on charges of Child Annoying, Stalking and Child Pornography.  Mr. James was booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail with an increased bail amount of $250,000. 

Here is Mr. James with glasses

?

 

Here he is without glasses:

 

On Monday September 23, 2013, Santa Cruz Police Department officers took a report of suspicious activity involving a person in a vehicle around Santa Cruz High School.  Officers learned that two student athletes were running through the neighborhood as part of their training regimen.  In the course of their running, they noticed a suspicious person in a vehicle following them and appearing at various parts of their running route. 

On September 24, 2013, Detectives were in the course of following up the previous day’s report when a second report of suspicious activity was dispatched near Pacific Collegiate School on Swift Street.  It was reported to officers that a male suspect appeared to be photographing or filming female students in and around the school grounds. 

Descriptions in both cases appeared similar.  Detectives began scouring the city streets looking for the suspect’s vehicle.  They found the car parked in a lot near Front and Laurel Streets.  Mr. James eventually got into the car and drove away.  Officers conducted a car stop and contacted Mr. James. 

Mr. James was interviewed and eventually arrested for several counts of possessing obscene matter depicting children as well as Child Annoying and Stalking charges.  Detectives learned that Mr. James was video filming and taking photographs of young females between 13-15 years for purpose of sexual gratification. 

Detectives served a search warrant at Mr. James’ home in the 300 block of Buena Vista Ave.  Detectives also searched his car, a 2007 White Toyota Yaris, License Plate #5UCD442. 

Detectives seized several items of evidence including photography equipment, storage cards and computer equipment.  Detectives are in the process of meticulously going the through the images and hard drives to identify any additional photographs and/or victims. 

In this case, the efforts of alert citizens and victims provided critical information that assisted in the quick location, identification and arrest of the suspect.  Additionally, they called to report the suspicious activity, which eventually led to this predator being removed from the streets before he was able to claim additional victims. 

Detectives Follow up Child Porn Lead - Suspect Arrested

On Wednesday August 14, 2013, Santa Cruz Police Detectives arrested Walter Louis Gafvert III for multiple counts of Possession of Child Pornography.  Mr. Gafvert is 48 year old and lived at a home in the 13000 block of Highway 9.  He was formerly involved in the adult pornography business under a host of alias names.  

 The investigation started in July, 2013 when detectives were alerted to Mr. Gafvert by the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force.  The Santa Cruz Police Department is local affiliate to this regional task force comprised of Federal, State and local law enforcement.  Through meticulous investigative work, Detectives developed enough information to obtain a search warrant for Mr. Gafvert’s home in Boulder Creek.    Digital evidence was obtained from the residence which linked Gafvert to possession of child pornography.  Detectives discovered thousands of images depicting Child Pornography. 

On August 14th Gafvert was located and brought to the Santa Cruz Police Department for an interview with Detectives.  In searching his cellphones brought to the interview, investigators found he was actively in possession and actually downloading child pornography at that very moment.  Gafvert confessed to his “child pornography and methamphetamine addiction” giving graphic details of videos and images he sought from the internet for sexual gratification.  As part of the interview, Gafvert wrote an apology letter for his actions. 

Mr. Gafvert was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail on multiple charges of possessing child pornography. 

There are no indications local children have been molested; however, investigators are still combing through the thousands of images and videos in an effort to identify the children depicted.  To accomplish this task, Investigators are working with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), Child Victim Identification Program (CVIP). 

Investigators ask that you contact (831) 420-5820 if you have information concerning Gafvert.