A 28-year-old Porterville man was arrested Tuesday after an investigation uncovered more than 600 images of child sexual abuse material in an electronic account he controlled, police said.

Porterville police began investigating the case after officers responded to a residence Nov. 19 following a report that a subject may have been in possession of child pornography. Officers determined the material was stored and accessed electronically, and detectives with the department’s General Investigations Unit continued the investigation.

After serving multiple search warrants, detectives identified child sexual abuse material linked to Jairo Jose Garcia, a Porterville resident, police said.

Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Garcia on charges of possession of child sexual abuse material and possession of more than 600 images of child sexual abuse material, as well as a search warrant for his residence in the 800 block of West Gerry Lane.

At about 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Porterville police detectives, assisted by investigators from the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office and the Fresno ICAC Task Force, served the search warrant and apprehended Garcia, police said.

Garcia was booked into the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office South County Detention Facility, where he is being held without bail. The investigation is ongoing.

Got a Tip?

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Porterville Police Department General Investigations Division at (559) 782-7400 or submit information through the department’s Facebook or Instagram pages. Anonymous tips are accepted.

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