Police arrest Lakeport man for possessing child pornography
- Lake County News reports
- Posted On
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Police have taken a Lakeport man into custody after an investigation that began in the summer revealed that he was in possession of child pornography.
Justin Daniel Sylva, 37, was arrested on Tuesday on a felony warrant, according to Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen.
Rasmussen said that on July 4 his officers received information that Sylva was in possession of child pornography.
The investigation was turned over to Lakeport Police’s Detective Division. Rasmussen said Det. Dale Stoebe developed probable cause to believe Sylva was in possession of the pornography at his residence and authored an affidavit for a search warrant which was authorized by a Lake County Superior Court judge.
Det. Stoebe and other LPD Officers served the search warrant on Sylva’s residence and recovered digital evidence and devices believed to be connected to the possession of child pornography. Silva was not home at the time, Rasmussen said.
Rasmussen said that on July 5, officers located Silva in Lakeport and served the search on his person and vehicle. Additional evidence was recovered, Silva was interviewed and made admissions about the possession of child pornography.
Due to the fact that extensive further investigation was needed before presenting a case to the District Attorney’s Office for review, Sylva was not arrested at the time, Rasmussen said.
Rasmussen said Det. Stoebe authored an additional search warrant for forensic examination of the seized items of evidence which was again authorized by a Lake County Superior Court judge. The evidence and search warrant were turned over to the Northern California Computer Crimes Task Force, or NCCCTF, for examination.
On Jan. 16, Det. Stoebe received the report of findings from the NCCCTF, which Rasmussen said revealed Sylva was in possession of over 100 digital images consistent with child exploitation.
Rasmussen said the investigation was presented to the Lake County District Attorney’s Office, which filed felony charges against Sylva for possession of matter depicting a person under 18 engaging in or simulating sexual conduct. A felony arrest warrant was signed by a Lake County Superior Court judge.
On Jan. 18, Lakeport Police Department officers began conducting surveillance to locate and arrest Sylva, Rasmussen said.
On Tuesday, officers located Sylva and placed him under arrest. Rasmussen said Sylva was transported and booked into the Lake County Correctional Facility.
Jail records early Friday showed that Sylva is no longer in custody.