A Calimesa resident who was recently arrested for allegations of possessing homemade child pornography entered a plea of not guilty at his arraignment this week.
A tip was offered to the authorities regarding 44-year-old Robert Anthony Salas III regarding a suspicion that the man had been using a hidden camera to record videos of underage victims.
On June 4, investigators from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department obtained permission to search the contents of digital equipment that they allege belongs to Salas to see if the reported claim had any validity.
While they looked through the contents of the memory, the investigators allegedly discovered images containing sexual content with four different children. It was purported that Salas had captured the images of the youngsters himself by using a hidden camera, and they appeared to be taken inside of a residence.
Deputies placed Salas under arrest, and he was booked into the Larry S. Smith Correctional Facility based on allegations of possession of child pornography, sexual exploitation of a minor, and peeping with a concealed camera, due to what was reportedly discovered on the camera. He was ordered to remain incarcerated in lieu of $50,000 bail awaiting a June 6th scheduled arraignment date.
When Salas appeared before the court, he was asked to enter a plea for a felony charge of possessing matter depicting a minor in sexual acts, and two misdemeanor counts of criminal invasion of privacy.
Salas entered a plea of not guilty to the charges, and he was given a no-contact order preventing him from interacting with two of the alleged victims. The judge also ordered that Salas remain in jail on an adjusted bail amount of $10,000.
The connection between Salas and the children whom he is prohibited from contacting has not been disclosed at this time.
A settlement conference has been scheduled for June 17, where Salas and his representation will meet with the alleged victims and their prosecution, in addition to a ruling judge or magistrate, in an attempt to find an agreeable resolution instead of holding a hearing or a jury trial.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a sex crime, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.