SFPD Investigation Leads to Arrests of Child Pornography Distribution Ring

In late March 2016 the SFPD Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit began an investigation into several individuals who were uploading and distributing child pornography through the internet.

The ICAC Unit initially identified two suspects, Gary Waite, age 38 and Danica Morais age 34, both San Francisco residents, as having uploaded and distributed child pornography involving children under the age of ten, through several online sites.

On June 28, 2016 ICAC investigators arrested Gary Waite on the unit block of Jones Street, and charged him for 311.11(a) PC – possession of child pornography, and 311.1(a) PC – distribution of child pornography.

Through Waite’s arrest, ICAC investigators were able to determine that Waite was distributing child pornography to another San Francisco resident, who they identified as Lorenzo Brown age 36. Investigators were able to determine that Brown was saving the child pornography that was being sent to him.

On August 3, 2016 ICAC investigators charged Brown for the possession of child pornography. Brown was in custody at the San Mateo County Jail for unrelated charges.

On June 29, 2016 San Francisco Police officers arrested Danica Morais on the 100 block of Topeka Avenue, and charged her with 311.11(a) PC – possession of child pornography, and 311.1(a) PC – distribution of child pornography.

As the result of Morais’s arrest ICAC investigators determined that she was distributing child pornography to several individuals, who were located in Los Angeles and Sacramento.

On August 16, 2016 members of the Los Angeles ICAC Task Force served a search warrant on a residence on Wilshire Boulevard, and arrested thirty five year-old Justyn Tomblyn for 311.11(a) PC – possession of child pornography, as the result of Morais’s arrest.

In mid September of 2016, members of the Sacramento Valley ICAC Task Force served a search warrant on a residence in Sacramento County as the result of Morais’s arrest. As the result of the Sacramento search warrant, Sacramento ICAC investigators arrested Michael Brown, age 42 for 311.11(a) PC – possession of child pornography.

If you feel you may have been a victim or have had any suspicious contact with the subject(s) please contact the Special Victims Unit (415) 558-5500.