Capitola police are asking for the public’s help after a Soquel man was arrested in connection with an investigation involving children at Capitola Beach.
Derek Martin Johnson, 63, was arrested June 6 after a concerned citizen reported that a man appeared to be taking photographs of juveniles in a public area, according to Capitola police. While photography in public is not illegal, police said the report involved children and prompted an investigation.
During the investigation, officers interviewed witnesses and obtained digital evidence. Johnson was arrested on suspicion of possessing obscene matter involving minors and booked into Santa Cruz County Jail, police said.
Johnson was not in custody as of June 11, jail records show. Court records show he was charged June 6 with possession of child pornography and production of child pornography, both felonies. He also faces a sentencing enhancement based on a prior serious felony conviction.
Police said the investigation remains active and emphasized that an arrest is not evidence of guilt.
Investigators are asking parents or guardians who believe their child may have been photographed, or anyone who saw the suspect taking photographs of children at Capitola Main Beach on June 6, to contact the Capitola Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit at 831.475.4242.
Santa Cruz County Court records indicate Johnson has a prior criminal case dating to 1998 that included charges of burglary, sexual battery, oral copulation with a minor, forcible sexual penetration with a foreign object and rape by force or fear. He is listed on California’s Megan’s Law website.
