Fire Captain Arrested on Suspicion of Possessing Child Pornography
Richard Chew (KTVU)
OAKLAND – A captain from the Oakland Fire Department was arrested September 6 on child pornography charges, after investigators searched a firehouse and found prurient evidence.
Captain Richard Chew, 58, is accused of possessing more than 600 images of child pornography, and he allegedly shared nearly 200 files containing pornography with an undercover sheriff’s deputy.
Among the evidence seized were at least three videos featuring children 8 years old and younger performing sexual acts.
Law enforcement officials from Contra County Internet Crimes Against Children Task started investigating Chew on August 19.
Investigators from the county task force seized a laptop computer and thumb drives on August 21 during a search of Oakland Fire Station 15, located at 455 27th Street.
The laptop computer with a fire department logo sticker purportedly is Chew’s own personal laptop, rather than city property, which he apparently took to work with him.
Investigators from the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office and Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office also searched Chew’s home in Lafayette on August 29, and seized electronic devices from that location as well.
Chew is being held at the Martinez Detention Facility in lieu of $200,000 bail, charged with distributing and possessing child pornography.
A 28-year veteran of the Oakland Fire Department, Chew has been placed on administrative work leave, while the legal process moves forward to determine what happens to him next.
Chew is scheduled to appear in Contra Costa County Superior Court on September 17.
