Lengthy Forensic Investigation Leads to Arrest on Child Pornography Possession
HIGHLAND – A self-employed music teacher from Redlands was arrested for possession of child pornography on Tuesday after an investigation that began in September 2013.
Michael Freeland, 52, who was released from custody after posting bail one day later, has a court appearance scheduled for next week, according to law enforcement officials.
Detectives from a special detail, Crimes Against Children, were dispatched to Freeland’s residence just before 4 p.m. on March 3 after receiving reports of his activities. The reporting party, according to Detective Jennifer Burkhart, “provided multiple electronic devices that she believed contained child pornography …”
Burkhart and Sgt. Dana Foster, members of the special detail, conducted an investigation and discovered that Freeland, who responded to the original complaint on Sept. 26, 2013 at a residence in the 7000 block of Bobcat Lane, in Highland, was the owner of the electronic devices.
Burkhart said that a Hi-Tech Detail discovered the images on Freeland’s equipment. The lengthy forensic investigation of the devices was concluded, leading to a further interview with Freeland. After being subject to interview at Sheriff’s headquarters on Tuesday, Freeland was taken into custody. Booked into the Central Detention Center, his bail was set at $25,000.
Reports stated that Freeland, who posted bail and was released at 4:25 p.m. on March 4, is a self-employed music teacher in Redlands, but did not say if he taught children. He apparently is co-founder of a business called Music Lessons Central. Original reports were made by a woman who was living with Freeland, said Cindy Bachman, a spokesperson with San Bernardino County Sheriff’s.
Read More:
KESQ: Music instructor arrested with child pornography
CBSLA: Redlands music instructor arrested for child porn
