Friday, June 24, 2011

Former Collier Man In Federal Custody In California On Child Porn Charges

An investigation led by the Collier County Sheriff’s Office has resulted in the arrest of a former Collier County man in California this week on federal child pornography charges.

Brian Gerardo Escobedo, 22, was awaiting extradition to Florida following his arrest Sunday by the U.S. Border Patrol at the port of entry in San Diego. Escobedo was indicted by the Middle District of Florida on May 1 on one count each of possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography.

Escobedo was taken into custody by the FBI in San Diego. He made his initial appearance in a California courtroom on Tuesday.

Escobedo was charged with the crimes following an undercover case led by the Collier County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the Orlando and Fort Myers Innocent Images Task Forces. The Fort Myers task force includes members of the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Cape Coral Police Department.

The undercover investigation revealed that Escobedo exchanged images of child pornography over his personal computer while living in the community of Ave Maria in eastern Collier County in 2010.