Illicit Snapchat Photos Sent To 7 Year Old Girl: Cops

SANTA ANA, CA — A mother's discovery of an illicit photo sent to her 7-year-old's mobile device via Snapchat app led to additional felony charges to be filed against Antonio Davila, a 36 year old Santa Ana resident.

The Snapchat application was set up for the young girl by an older sibling, Santa Ana police say.

Davila, a registered sex offender who is out on bail for charges of indecent exposure, allegedly sent the Snapchat picture of him performing a sex act on the girl last Saturday, according to Santa Ana Police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna. The victim's mother happened to see it on her daughter's tablet and "quickly took a photo before the picture was automatically deleted," Bertagna said.

The timed delete of sent pictures is a feature of the Snapchat app.

After taking the picture of the illicit image for proof, the girl's mother called police and Davila -- who had been awaiting trial for allegedly exposing himself to a 9-year-old girl at a Dollar Tree store last September -- was arrested again on Tuesday, Bertagna said.

Davila is newly charged with possession or control of child pornography and lewd or lascivious acts with a minor younger than 14, both felonies, with a sentence-enhancing allegation of committing a crime while out on bail, according to court records.

Davila was charged last year with an attempted lewd act on a child younger than 14 and indecent exposure with a prior conviction for the same, both felonies, as well as a misdemeanor count of lewd conduct in a public place -- the Dollar Tree store at 3309 S. Bristol St. As he allegedly reached out to touch the girl, she screamed, prompting him to run away, police said. An employee and a witness chased after Davila, and he was arrested as police arrived on scene and saw the pursuit in progress, Bertagna said.

Davila also pleaded guilty on April 25, 2011, to misdemeanor counts of indecent exposure and child annoyance, according to court records. In that case, he exposed himself to two 15-year-old girls, Bertagna said.

Police suspect there may be more victims and encouraged anyone with information to call detectives at (714) 245-8660. Orange County Crime Stoppers will accept anonymous tips at (855) TIP-OCCS.

Santa Ana Police Photo