by: Stephen Hawkins
A sergeant with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has been arrested for possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material, authorities said.
The Madera County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Bureau received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, leading detectives to identify 39-year-old Ralph Contreras Jr. as the suspect.
MCSO detectives, along with the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations, executed a search warrant on Thursday at a residence in the 11000 block of Muirfield Road in Chowchilla.
Contreras Jr. was taken into custody and booked into the Madera County Jail.
Madera County Sheriff Tyson Pogue said, “This operation highlights the critical partnership across law enforcement agencies to combat child exploitation, pursue justice for victims, and vehemently protect the safety of children.”
All electronic devices associated with Contreras Jr. were seized for further examination as part of the ongoing investigation.
The Madera County Sheriff’s Office urges anyone with information regarding this case or potential victims to contact detectives at 559-675-7770.
Tips can also be emailed to [email protected].
Anonymous tips may be made through Valley Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP.
Rev Red