A 20-year-old Porterville man was arrested Wednesday after detectives investigating a cyber tip said they discovered he possessed more than 600 images containing child sexual abuse material, police said.

Porterville Police Department detectives received a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicating that an unidentified Porterville resident had uploaded numerous files containing child pornography, according to the department.

Detectives investigated and identified Marco Avila, 20, as the suspect, police said. Investigators said they discovered Avila possessed well over 600 images containing child sexual abuse material, also known as CSAM.

Detectives arrested Avila and served a search warrant at his residence in the 700 block of East Success Drive.

Police said detectives collected and searched Avila’s electronic devices and located additional files containing child pornography.

Avila was booked into the South County Detention Facility.

Got a Tip?

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Porterville Police Department at (559) 782-7400 or through the department’s Facebook or Instagram pages. Information may also be provided anonymously.

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