Orange County Internet Sex Crimes Require Attorney With Experience

He’s been dubbed the “MySpace Predator,” and he has now been convicted of nearly 80 felony internet crimes in Orange County. In addition to the child pornography charges, he has also been convicted of kidnapping and committing lewd acts with a child under the age of 14.

Orange County Criminal Defense Attorney Houman Fakhimi understands that laws regarding internet crimes are constantly changing, trying to keep pace with the ever-expanding technology. This is why it is so critical if you’re charged with one of these crimes to contact an attorney with experience. Just the discovery process, or the initial phase of sorting through the prosecution’s case against you, can be overwhelming for an attorney who has never before tried one of these cases.

You can’t afford not to because the penalties for internet crimes – particularly when children are alleged to be involved – are quite often very severe.

In this case, the 34-year-old Orange County man is looking at a sentence of life behind bars.

Here’s what we know, according to media reports: The reported incidents happened between 2007 and 2009. Investigators say the suspect set up a phony modeling agency, and additionally set up an online account on MySpace purporting to be a 13-year-old female. Using these tools, prosecutors said he was able to talk dozens of young girls between the ages of 11 and 17 into sending him naked photographs of themselves.

Additionally, prosecutors say he sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl at his home after reportedly luring her there for a photo shoot. Other young girls had also previously gone to his home and were photographed by him, according to investigators.

It is estimated that he reached out to as many as 200 girls across a wide swath of areas, including:

• Moreno Valley
• Beaumont
• Banning; San Jacinto
• Corona
• Palm Springs

Additionally, he is said to have contacted girls in Canada, the UK and Iran. An estimated 40 girls were brought in to testify at his trial. They told the court that the man had told them he couldn’t pay them for their photos, but they could be used in a portfolio to kick start their modeling careers.

He was ultimately arrested after the mother of one of the girls discovered a note that mentioned a sex tape that was slated for production in Palm Springs. She contacted authorities, who ultimately tracked down this suspect at his Orange County residence.

Police ended up seizing his cell phone, several computers and cameras from his home in order to build their case.

A jury debated for two days before convicting him. He faces sentencing in April. While he is facing down the possibility of life in prison, if he ever is released, he will likely fall under the purview of the state’s Sex Offender Tracking Program, which would require him to register as a sex offender with the California Department of Justice. These offenders are required to update their residence information annually, at a minimum. Their information will then appear for public display on the state’s sex offender web site, per Penal Code section 290.46.

Contact Houman Fakhimi trial attorney at (714) 705-6701 as soon as possible if you are facing Internet crime charges in Orange County. Protecting your rights and setting up an aggressive defense at the beginning stages is critical in defending against criminal charges.