Child Sex Abuse Porn Suspect Arrested Following Cyber-Tip: Petaluma PD

PETALUMA, CA — A Penngrove man accused of possessing multiple videos containing child sexual abuse material was arrested after investigators traced an online tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to Sonoma County.

The investigation began after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children alerted the Petaluma Police Department to a suspected upload of child sexual abuse material. Investigators determined the upload originated in Penngrove and identified the suspect as 26-year-old Jose Lopez-Bocanegra.

According to authorities, investigators found Lopez-Bocanegra possessed multiple videos depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Because the alleged crime occurred in unincorporated Sonoma County, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office took over the investigation.

On July 29, deputies arrested Lopez-Bocanegra in Rohnert Park. They also searched his Penngrove home and seized several electronic devices that will be examined as the investigation continues.

Lopez-Bocanegra was booked into the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility on suspicion of possessing child sexual abuse material in violation of California Penal Code Section 311.11(a)(1), a felony. Bail was set at $30,000, and he was later released after posting bail.

Authorities said investigations involving child sexual abuse material often require extensive examination of computers, phones, and other digital devices to determine how the material was obtained, stored, or shared. The Sheriff's Office said the case remains under investigation.