05-29-2013, 04:22 PM
Great to see global LE investigators working together and the public stepping up to catch these ASSHOLE child abusers.
A young girl believed to have been the child being abused in the videos was found, and she is now considered safe.
Danish investigators first uncovered the child pornography on the internet. With no idea who was involved or where it was generated, the Danish investigators examined the video closely for clues. They saw a Pretzel bag and worked with the pretzel manufacturer to determine that the packaging type was only sold in the US. Danish authorities then contacted investigators in the US who released photos of the unidentified man and asked the public for tips.
From there:
![[Image: 12742471-large.jpg]](http://media.masslive.com/breakingnews/photo/12742471-large.jpg)
David J. Stevens, 58, was arrested by Salinas police and agents with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations on Wednesday afternoon, a little more than 24 hours after the federal agency asked the public’s help in identifying him.
“Without the public's help we would not have solved this case,” he said.
According to the criminal complaint filed by HSI in Washington, D.C., four videos of child pornography with date stamps of April 14 and 27 were first discovered by the Danish National Police on May 3 and referred to U.S. law enforcement for further investigation.
Following Stevens' arrest, investigators obtained a search warrant for the defendant's Salinas residence where they seized additional evidence related to the case.
At his arraignment Thursday in federal court, Stevens pleaded innocent to charges related to sexual exploitation of children. He was ordered held without the right to bail and is due back in court on June 6.
Based upon interviews with witnesses, HSI special agents believe there may be additional unidentified child victims and are asking anyone with further information regarding Stevens, of Salinas, to call ICE's tip line - 1-866-347-2423 or the Salinas Police Department's Investigations Division at 1-831-758-7226.
Edit: removed duplicate text
A young girl believed to have been the child being abused in the videos was found, and she is now considered safe.
Danish investigators first uncovered the child pornography on the internet. With no idea who was involved or where it was generated, the Danish investigators examined the video closely for clues. They saw a Pretzel bag and worked with the pretzel manufacturer to determine that the packaging type was only sold in the US. Danish authorities then contacted investigators in the US who released photos of the unidentified man and asked the public for tips.
From there:
David J. Stevens, 58, was arrested by Salinas police and agents with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations on Wednesday afternoon, a little more than 24 hours after the federal agency asked the public’s help in identifying him.
“Without the public's help we would not have solved this case,” he said.
According to the criminal complaint filed by HSI in Washington, D.C., four videos of child pornography with date stamps of April 14 and 27 were first discovered by the Danish National Police on May 3 and referred to U.S. law enforcement for further investigation.
Following Stevens' arrest, investigators obtained a search warrant for the defendant's Salinas residence where they seized additional evidence related to the case.
At his arraignment Thursday in federal court, Stevens pleaded innocent to charges related to sexual exploitation of children. He was ordered held without the right to bail and is due back in court on June 6.
Based upon interviews with witnesses, HSI special agents believe there may be additional unidentified child victims and are asking anyone with further information regarding Stevens, of Salinas, to call ICE's tip line - 1-866-347-2423 or the Salinas Police Department's Investigations Division at 1-831-758-7226.
Edit: removed duplicate text