More victims sought after arrest of Orange County photographer on child pornography charges

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Federal and local investigators are appealing for the public’s help to identify additional underage victims following last week’s arrest of a professional photographer from Orange on multiple state charges related to the possession of child pornography.

Christopher Brown, 42, was taken into custody Friday in a local shopping center parking lot by investigators assigned to the Orange County Child Exploitation Task Force (OCCETF), including special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and deputies with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Brown is charged with possessing and manufacturing child pornography; digital penetration and oral copulation with a child; and failure to register as a sex offender. Brown, whose next court appearance is set for Sept. 29, remains in custody in the Orange County Jail on $500,000 bond.

Orange County investigators received information from the Los Angeles Internet Crimes Against Child Task Force (LAICACTF) about Brown and his alleged involvement in numerous acts of sexual misconduct. Brown, a professional photographer and children’s tumbling teacher, was suspected of being in possession of numerous photographs and videos depicting female minors. Investigators immediately began analyzing electronic data and conducting a preliminary investigation into Brown’s alleged sexual misconduct.

After several days of investigation, Task Force officers executed a search warrant at an Irvine hotel where Brown was staying. During the search, investigators collected a computer and an external hard drive believed to belong to Brown. In addition, investigators seized Brown’s cell phone and GoPro camera at the time of his arrest.

Brown works throughout the country and allegedly used his profession to lure teenage girls into posing for illicit photographs and engaging in sexual misconduct. Investigators have collected numerous illicit photographs and videos. In 2005, Brown was convicted in Virginia of possession of child pornography. He failed to register as a sex offender in California when he moved to the state several years ago.

Anyone with additional information regarding additional victims is asked to call the Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s Special Victim’s Unit at 714-647-7418 or 714-647-7000. Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at www.occrimestoppers.org.