KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
A Valencia man is facing charges of using Skype to seek out victims for “sado-masochistic” child porn he’s also accused of distributing, law enforcement officials said Tuesday.
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Austen Timothy Calams, 35, of Valencia, was charged with distribution and possession of sadomasochistic child pornography, including sexually explicit images with children and animals.
“This is a next-level case, it’s about as sick as it gets,” said Lt. Kent Wegener, of the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
The suspect recently worked as store manager for Kohl’s in Canyon County, with reports he returned to work the day after he was arrested.
“The individual in question is no longer employed by Kohl’s,” said their corporate spokesperson Tuesday.
Calams turned himself in last Thursday, following a search warrant served May 10 in the suspect’s Valencia home — one block from Rio Norte Junior High School.
Calams is not currently on the Megan’s Law map as of Tuesday. The map will be updated if he is convicted of the charges.
“This is a problem throughout L.A. County, but we see a lot of cases in Santa Clarita,” said Wegener.
During the search of Calams’ home, investigators obtained two “electronic devices” containing more than 500 sexually explicit photos and videos, said officials.
The investigation was initiated after a tip from the video messaging service Skype, saying there was suspected child porn uploaded to the site.
“The tip was sent from Skype to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children,” said Lt. Wegener. “Based of the IP location, the National Center passed the tip onto us.”
The L.A. County Sherriff’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force receives 40-70 tips a day from the National Center, continued the Sheriff Lieutenant.
“This is not happening on the street corner,” said Wegener. “These crimes are happening online, in the privacy of their own homes.”
Most of these tips are from many different agencies dedicating to combating the surge in internet sex crimes, including Sheriff’s detectives posing as children online.
“Some of these people spend months establishing a relationship with children,” explained Wegener. “They have nothing better to do, but dedicate hours to trying to get more material.”
Once these predators obtain one sexually explicit image, they can use “sexploitation” by threatening to show friends and family.
“All they need is one,” said Wegener. “Then they can blackmail the children into providing more sexually explicit images.”
Sheriff’s officials advise parents to “keep an eye” on their children’s internet activity, including social media, which can be a breeding ground for online criminals.
“Once the lights go out, so should the electronic devices,” said Wegener. “Make sure you have an open dialogue with your children about how to be safe on the internet.”
Calams was released on $80,000 bail from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station on Thursday, according to Sheriff’s records.
Austen Calams is scheduled to appear in court on July 7, at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles.
Wow…I dated this guy in high school for a couple of years and he was one of the nicest guys I have ever known. This is shocking and chills me to the core. He was the last person I would have ever thought would be like this…
Really because he molested me and two others in high school and got kicked out of our high school. Came off as sweet until he took advantage of us.
He assaulted me as well
Can you PLEASE private message me on my facebook Tty Lly. I have a few questions I really need answered.
Can you please email me laura.m.chouinard@gmail.com. It involves the safety of two children and I need you to get in touch with me about these claims of assault.
So creepy, Erin. Guess we never truly know what’s going on in someone’s mind.
He sexually assaulted me when I was 16. Not surprised at all
Can you PLEASE private message me on my facebook Tty Lly. I have a few questions I really need answered.
Please email me – it involves the safety of two boys and custody laura.m.chouinard@gmail.com
80000bail? Wtf?!! My kids had 110000 for street fighting . this world is twisted
All of these replies saying he assaulted and molested you but no one reported it or pressed criminal charges WTF ???!!
People like you blaming the victims are why victims dont say anything. On top of that it can be embarrassing for them so they feel ashamed. So instead of attacking them how about trying support instead
People are terrified and embarrassed to say what happened to them amd feel guilty . You remark is cold and callous. Please understand these woman were victims and mot the perpetrators . If this is your son I’m sorry!
Anon angry mom- It was reported! I knew one of the victims and she absolutely said something.
This guy was the store manager where I used to work. LAPD came into the store searching for him but at that time no one knew who he was. He always seem talking sexual to female and younger kids. She even promoted kids that just came right after high school. When the police talk to me that they been searching him since 2012. I found out later in 2016 but I couldnt say anything because the detective told me not talk to anyone for the safety others and myself. He always refuse to talk to the detectives. But they told to keep an eye on him on the Christmas party since at that time I was working as a private security with a company. But I never detect any unusual activity or behavior. But once touch my sister and she didnt like at all. My kohls closed at 2016 at west hills. And I’m glad I never get to work with a freak like that again.