San Francisco Police Officers Make Multiple Arrests in Child Exploitation Operation 20-059
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, the SFPD Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit has seen an increase of online child exploitation cases being reported. As a result, the SFPD ICAC Unit conducted an operation to combat this issue by arresting suspects who were exploiting children online.
ARREST #1
In the Spring of 2020 SFPD Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit began an investigation into an individual who was searching for child pornography by uploading child pornography files into an online image search engine. As a result of the investigation the ICAC Unit identified the individual as Peter Bodin, a 54-year-old-year-old San Francisco resident.
On May 22, 2020, SFPD investigators equipped with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), served a search warrant on the 100 block of Vienna Street. Several electronic devices were located belonging to Bodin that contained child pornography files. Bodin was placed under arrest for two counts of possession of child pornography. The San Francisco District Attorney’s office is prosecuting this case.
ARREST #2
The SFPD ICAC Unit was contacted by the Hillsborough Police Department regarding a fraud investigation that they were conducting. During their investigation, they determined that the subject was also in the possession of child pornography. The subject was identified as Anthony Jasso, a 31-year-old San Francisco resident. The SFPD ICAC unit was familiar with Jasso as he is a registered sex offender based on a prior conviction.
An arrest warrant for Jasso was issued by the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office. On May 22, 2020, Jasso was taken into custody on the 500 block of Natoma Street and was booked for possession of child pornography with a prior conviction.
ARREST #3
In the summer of 2019 and extending through the spring of 2020 the SFPD ICAC Unit conducted an investigation into an individual who was distributing child pornography through several online mobile chat applications. Throughout the investigation, investigators received multiple reports of the criminal conduct. Investigators were able to identify the individual as David Frye, a 33-year-old San Francisco resident.
An arrest warrant for Frye was issued by the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office. On May 22, 2020, Frye was taken into custody at 850 Bryant Street and booked for possession of child pornography.
ARREST #4
In the Spring of 2020, the SFPD ICAC Unit began an investigation into an individual who was sending child pornography through email. The investigation identified the suspect as John Pennington, a 47-year-old San Francisco resident.
On May 22, 2020, a search warrant was served on the 1100 block of Chestnut Street. During the search warrant, several electronic devices were located belonging to Pennington that contained hundreds of child pornography files. Pennington was arrested on the 1300 block of Leavenworth Street. During the arrest a cellphone was located on Pennington that contained hundreds of child pornography files. Pennington was arrested for two counts of possession of child pornography and for possession of over six-hundred files of child pornography. The case is being prosecuted by the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office.
Booking photos of the suspects are included in this news release.
While arrests have been made these cases remain open investigations. Anyone with information about any of these incidents is asked to call the SFPD 24-hour tip line at 1-415-575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD. You may remain anonymous.