Homeland Security tips local cops to online porn trafficker

SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara County sheriff’s detectives arrested Sean Sidney, 24, on charges related to trafficking in child pornography on the internet last month.

Sheriff’s spokesman Drew Sugars said an investigation into Sidney began in April, when agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security contacted local authorities and informed them of child pornography being distributed in the Santa Barbara area.

“Our detectives then found illegal images posted on various websites,” Sugars explained, “and we then traced those postings back to the suspect.”

The seven-month investigation indicated Sidney’s possession of multiple images of child pornography as well as various amounts LSD and ecstasy.

Sheriff’s detectives served a search warrant upon the residence of Sidney, taking custody of multiple computer and electronic devices as well as the illegal drugs. On Nov. 30, Sidney was booked into Santa Barbara County Jail for distribution of child pornography, possession of child pornography, and possession of controlled substances, with bail set at $20,000.

The Detective Bureau is continuing to investigate these crimes and has asked any member of the public with information regarding this or similar incidents to contact them via the Sheriff’s Anonymous Tip Line at (805) 681-4171.

Sean Sidney