Six men were arrested across Ventura County in a two-week child exploitation sweep that targeted the production, distribution and possession of child pornography, authorities announced Friday.
The Ventura County Child Exploitation Human Trafficking Task Force, led by the District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation and the FBI, executed the coordinated enforcement effort between Aug. 18 and Aug. 29.
Officials said investigators served 11 search warrants, including three at homes, and seized evidence to support the charges.
The arrests stem from crimes ranging from possession and distribution of illegal material to attempted enticement of minors.
One of those arrested, Kevin Reynolds, 40, is a chemistry teacher at Fillmore High School.
Tan Hoang Phuc Le, 23, of Simi Valley; Dameon Schubert, 36, of Ventura; Kevin Williams, 42, of Santa Paula; and Scott Milne, 44, of Thousand Oaks face potential charges for possession of child pornograpy.
Samuel William Lafond, 37, was arrested on federal charges, including attempted enticement of a minor.
Lafond, Milne, Reynolds, Schubert and Williams all face additional potential charges for intent to distribute child pornography.
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said the operation exposed offenders who rely on secrecy.
“Child exploitation thrives in secrecy, but operations like this shine a light on those who seek to harm children,” Nasarenko said. “These arrests and charges show what can be accomplished when local, state and federal law enforcement join forces to identify offenders and safeguard the most vulnerable among us.”
The FBI confirmed its role in the effort, part of a broader push dubbed “Operation Summer Heat.” Akil Davis, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, said the agency has intensified its focus on violent offenders targeting children.
The task force received assistance from multiple local police departments and the Southern California High Tech Task Force.
Officials urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspected crimes against children to law enforcement or through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST or online at missingkids.org.