OC Man Suspected Of Stalking Girl In Expanding Child Porn Case: Police

COSTA MESA, CA — A Costa Mesa man became the latest person arrested in connection with an expanding child pornography case that started with a couple in Lake Forest, police announced this week.

Costa Mesa Police arrested 24-year-old Tanner Shallahmer on suspicion of possessing and distributing child pornography. Despite a $250,000 bail enhancement granted by the request of the Costa Mesa Police Department, Shallahamer bailed out Saturday.

Authorities suspect Shallahamer stalked and filmed a teen and sent the video to another man with the intent to commit a sex crime.

"The Costa Mesa Police Department is seeking potential additional victims of a man arrested on Friday in connection to a previous arrest of a couple, who were arrested for possession of child pornography," the CMPD said in a statement. "This is the third arrest in this ongoing investigation."

Shallahmer was the third person arrested in connection with a case involving a Lake Forest couple, authorities said Monday.

Lake Forest resident Jonathan Garduno, 30, and his live-in girlfriend, 29-year-old Khyla Kauffeld, were arrested Sept. 7 on suspicion of attempting to meet up with a 15-year-old girl in Costa Mesa with the intent to commit sex crimes, according to the Costa Mesa Police Department.

During the investigation, authorities found "extensive" evidence of child pornography in Garduno's home, police said. Police also found that Garduno was texting another man, later identified as Shallahmer, of Costa Mesa.

Police said Shallahamer was both sending and receiving images of child pornography, as well as filming himself stalking a female while she lay in bed at her home in Costa Mesa, which he sent to another man who was not identified by police.

"Detectives are further investigating Shallahamer for possibly stalking other women and female teenagers and involving another male subject by sharing identifying information with intent to commit a sex crime," police said.

"Due to the evidence collected, detectives believe Shallahamer has potentially stalked and sent nude photographs of himself to other female victims within the Costa Mesa and Newport Beach area," authorities said.

Anyone with information is urged to contact CMPD Detective Gardner at 714-754-4937.