On July 15, 2010, a man accused of trying to take pictures of two underage girls outside the Stanton Public Library was charged with felony possession of child pornography and annoying a child. He pled not guilty to both charges.

On July 13, 2010, Alejandro Lorenzo Contreras, 24, was arrested after two girls accused him of trying to take their picture with his cell phone. Earlier that day, he had allegedly followed three girls into the library and tried to talk to them as they exited. Sheriff deputies looked through his phone and found images of other females who appeared to be underage and in various stages of undress.

Deputies also seized Contreras’ home computer.

Contreras is believed to be an undocumented immigrant and an immigration hold has been placed. He is currently held without bail.

Under California Penal Code section 311.11(a), a person who knowingly possesses images of a minor engaging in sexual conduct is guilty of possession of child pornography. Sexual conduct includes nude and semi-nude depictions of a minor. If the crime is charged as a misdemeanor, the person may be punished by up to a $2,500 fine and up to a year in county jail, or both. If charged as a felony as in Contreras’ case, the person may be sentenced to 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in state prison.

Under California Penal Code section 647.6(a)(1), annoying or molesting a minor is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000, up to a year in county jail, or both. A conviction under section 647.6(a)(1) does not require the person to actually touch the victim, but it does require that the person act in a way that would almost certainly annoy someone, and that the person’s behavior was motivated by an abnormal sexual interest in the victim.

If you or someone you know has been accused of a sex crime, you need an experienced Orange County criminal defense attorney who will vigorously represent you, especially considering the profound legal and social consequences of an adverse result. At Wallin & Klarich, we have helped people who have been accused of sex offenses for over 30 years. Feel free to contact us at (888) 280-6839 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (888) 280-6839      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (888) 280-6839      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or visit us at our website at www.wklaw.com. We will be there when you call.