A Salinas police officer charged with possession of child pornography was placed on administrative leave late last year, according to a statement released by Salinas Police Chief Carlos Acosta.
Officer Brian Jimenez-Gomez, 25, of Salinas was charged with one felony count of possession of child sexual abuse material, according to a statement released May 19 by Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni. If convicted, under California law, Jimenez-Gomez can face probation, 16 months in state prison or a maximum sentence of two years in state prison.
He would also be required to register as a sex offender for life.
Jimenez-Gomez was booked and charged on May 18, according to the police chief’s statement.
“We understand the seriousness of this matter and the impact it may have on public trust,” Acosta stated in a news release. “When misconduct is alleged, it will be thoroughly investigated and addressed appropriately.”
When the Salinas Police Department received information regarding the claims, department officials turned over the investigation to the San Jose ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children) Task Force “in the interest of transparency and accountability,” the statement continued. Jimenez-Gomez was then placed on administrative leave.
Investigators are not aware of any known local victims, Pacioni said, nor do the charges “allege any offense involving physical contact with a minor, nor do they involve allegations that Jimenez-Gomez created child sexual abuse material.”
Based on current information known to investigators, Pacioni said there is no indication of an ongoing threat to the public.
Man in rural Salinas booked on child pornography charge
A man in rural Salinas has voluntarily surrendered himself to local authorities after being investigated for possessing child pornography, according to a statement released May 19 by the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office.
Jonathan D. Berry, of Berry Drive, turned himself into law enforcement at the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office on May 18. He was charged with possession of child sexual abuse material and booked into Monterey County Jail.
Berry was the subject of a search warrant served on March 4, by Monterey County detectives working in the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force. Multiple electronic devices were seized at that time, according to officials.
On May 18, after follow-up search warrants and further investigation, Berry surrendered himself to law enforcement.
Investigators are seeking the public’s help in providing any information that may aid in the case or have knowledge of ongoing sexual abuse. The public can contact Detective Rodrigo Lopez at (831) 755-3762 or Sgt. Nicholas Kennedy at (831) 755-3773.
This article originally appeared on Salinas Californian: Salinas police officer charged with having child sex abuse material
Reporting by Roseann Cattani, Salinas Californian / Salinas Californian
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
