SAN FRANCISCO — Anthony Vega-Lobato of Watsonville appeared in court Dec. 22 on charges he produced, distributed, received, and possessed child pornography, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday.
According to an indictment handed down by a federal grand jury on Tuesday, Vega-Lobato, 22, has been involved in the production of child pornography since at least April 14, 2016. The indictment alleges Vega-Lobato produced four video files containing visual depictions of three minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
The indictment also alleges that in April 2017, Vega-Lobato distributed child pornography in interstate and foreign commerce. He is also charged with receiving child pornography at dates unknown until May 18, 2017, and with possessing child pornography until the same date.
Vega-Lobato is being charged with four counts of production of child pornography, one count of distribution of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography, and one count of possession and access with intent to view child pornography.
He was arrested on Dec. 21 and remains in custody of the U.S. Marshal.
His next scheduled appearance was scheduled on Friday before the U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth D. Laporte for arraignment and identification of counsel.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Simeon is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Ryka Barghi. The prosecution is the result of an ongoing investigation by the United States Department of Homeland Security.
Anyone with information about suspected child predators is asked to call the Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing an online tip form at https://www.ice.gov/webform/hsi-tip-form. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may also be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.
