On January 29th, the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) received several tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding a person who was in possession of child pornography.
According to court documents, Google contacted the NCMEC after it located what they believed to be child porn uploaded to their servers. Following an investigation, authorities determined that a video and numerous images depicted children as young as 3-8 months old involved in sexual conduct.
The account was eventually identified as being owned by 51-year-old Erik Wadelin of Ridgecrest. Investigators were later able to connect the account with Wadelin's address in the 100 block of W. Church Ave in Ridgecrest.
Wadelin was arrested and charged with five felony accounts, including lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 years, and possession of child pornography.
