Teh One Who Knocks
08-19-2013, 12:01 PM
By Calvin Men - Santa Cruz Sentinel
http://i.imgur.com/rOXwNFt.jpg
SANTA CRUZ -- A child pornography suspect who authorities say downloaded illegal images to his cellphone during an interview with investigators pleaded not guilty Friday to possessing thousands of other pornographic files.
Walter Louis Gafvert III, 48, of Boulder Creek, fidgeted in his seat and wept briefly before a public defender entered the plea to a felony count of possessing child pornography stemming from an investigation that began in July.
Prosecutor Steve Moore declined to say if more charges would be filed.
At the prosecution's request, Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Timothy Volkmann raised the bail amount from $5,000 to $25,000. Gafvert, who faces up to three years in prison if convicted, remained in custody late Friday.
The investigation started when the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force -- a group of state, federal and local law enforcement -- told Santa Cruz police about Gafvert. Authorities say he had been involved in the adult porn industry under a host of names.
A search warrant served at his home in the 13000 block of Highway 9 yielded thousands of child porn images on a computer and cellphones, authorities said.
Gafvert was arrested Wednesday at the home by Santa Cruz police. In searching a cellphone Gafvert had on him during a police interview, officers found he was actively downloading child porn at the moment, Santa Cruz Deputy Chief of Police Steve Clark said.
Gafvert is set to appear in court Aug. 26 for a preliminary hearing to determine if there is enough evidence for a trial.
Investigators are combing through images and videos trying to identify children, but it does not appear so far that local children are depicted, investigators said.
http://i.imgur.com/rOXwNFt.jpg
SANTA CRUZ -- A child pornography suspect who authorities say downloaded illegal images to his cellphone during an interview with investigators pleaded not guilty Friday to possessing thousands of other pornographic files.
Walter Louis Gafvert III, 48, of Boulder Creek, fidgeted in his seat and wept briefly before a public defender entered the plea to a felony count of possessing child pornography stemming from an investigation that began in July.
Prosecutor Steve Moore declined to say if more charges would be filed.
At the prosecution's request, Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Timothy Volkmann raised the bail amount from $5,000 to $25,000. Gafvert, who faces up to three years in prison if convicted, remained in custody late Friday.
The investigation started when the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force -- a group of state, federal and local law enforcement -- told Santa Cruz police about Gafvert. Authorities say he had been involved in the adult porn industry under a host of names.
A search warrant served at his home in the 13000 block of Highway 9 yielded thousands of child porn images on a computer and cellphones, authorities said.
Gafvert was arrested Wednesday at the home by Santa Cruz police. In searching a cellphone Gafvert had on him during a police interview, officers found he was actively downloading child porn at the moment, Santa Cruz Deputy Chief of Police Steve Clark said.
Gafvert is set to appear in court Aug. 26 for a preliminary hearing to determine if there is enough evidence for a trial.
Investigators are combing through images and videos trying to identify children, but it does not appear so far that local children are depicted, investigators said.