SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — SDSU students and faculty received disturbing news on Tuesday. A Sergeant in their Police Department had been accused of downloading multiple child pornography videos on his personal computer.
ABC10News obtained these court documents revealing the months-long federal investigation that led to Sergeant Paul McClain's arrest.
According to the documents: from July of last year to February, Homeland Security Investigations, also called HSI, traced at least five child porn videos to McClain personal computer in Menifee, California. The videos involved children from the ages of 6 to 16. His got a warrant to search McClain's house last Thursday.
Court records say agents found a hard drive in his office with more child pornography. And videos from what appeared to be a hidden camera inside McClain's home bathroom, recording a woman showering. The court documents say he is married with three kids, ages 9, 13, and 16.
Mcclain was arrested off-campus. SDSUPD says it immediately initiated actions to terminate him. Court records show that McClain was not assigned to investigate child exploitation or child pornography as part of his job.
I asked San Diego's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force if they've seen a recent increase in these cases. Sergeant Monica Robinson confirmed they’d had more of these incidents since the pandemic when people were home and online more often.
McClain made his first appearance in court on Friday in Riverside. He was jailed without bond and his arraignment is scheduled for April 1st.
San Diego State Chief of Police Gregory Murphy says that UPD condemns all forms of exploitation and abuse.
"This is shocking, and I want to immediately acknowledge that no child – and no one – should ever experience exploitation, and to also recognize the pain and upset this has caused within our organization," Murphy says. "This is painful, and these cases can be especially difficult for survivors of abuse."
In closing, the campus message pointed to support resources available through the university.
"I also know that trust is built through action. That is why we at UPD also commit to continuing to prioritize our charge to aid in the safety and well-being of all individuals," Murphy says. "We will continue our many efforts aiding in the prevention of sexual violence through education and other efforts, supporting survivors through a trauma-informed practice and serving our full SDSU community while upholding the highest standards of integrity and respect."
Follow this link to see the university support resources.
