South El Monte School Volunteer Facing Child Pornography Charges

A 30-year-old man who volunteered at South El Monte High School is due in a Pomona courtroom on Jan. 23 to face charges of possession of child pornography and sexual battery involving a teenage boy he befriended, authorities said today.

An investigation of Andres Fernandez of South El Monte began Dec. 4 when the Temple Sheriff's Station was contacted by school officials, who were tipped off about allegedly pornographic images on a computer that Fernandez shared with a co-worker, said Sgt. Al Fraijo of the sheriff's Special Victims Bureau.

The pictures were taken when the 17-year-old boy spent the night at the suspect's home, where he drank alcohol, Fraijo alleged. Fernandez allegedly took the photographs while the boy was sleeping, the sergeant said.

Detectives obtained a warrant to search Fernandez's home, but did not find evidence regarding any additional alleged victims, he said.

The District Attorney's Office filed the charges on Dec. 18, and Fernandez responded to an arrest warrant by turning himself in on Dec. 30. He posted a $20,000 bond the same day and was released from custody.

Anyone with additional information about the case was asked to call the bureau at (877) 710-5273.

-- City News Service