Two Men Arrested in Santa Ana for Child Pornography and Firearm Offenses

Santa Ana, California – Two Men Arrested for Child Pornography and Firearm Possession

In separate incidents, two men have been arrested in Santa Ana, Orange County, on charges related to child pornography and illegal firearms possession. The arrests are part of ongoing investigations by local law enforcement, including the Santa Ana Police Department.

Juan Diego Rodriguez Arrested for Child Pornography

Juan Diego Rodriguez, a 37-year-old man, was arrested on allegations of possessing child pornography. Authorities executed a search warrant at his residence located in the 400 block of South Poplar Street, where they seized multiple electronic devices that are now considered evidence in the case.

Rodriguez was identified by an investigator from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for allegedly downloading sexually inappropriate content involving minors. He has been booked into the Santa Ana Jail and is suspected of felony possession of child pornography. As a member of the Los Angeles Regional ICAC Task Force, the Santa Ana Police Department is actively engaging in efforts to combat child abuse and exploitation over the internet.

Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding Rodriguez or the case to reach out to the ICAC Task Force at sapdicac@santa.org.

Arthit Tanjapatkul Arrested for Weapons and Child Pornography Possession

In a separate investigation, 43-year-old Arthit Tanjapatkul has been charged with multiple counts of possession of weapons and child pornography. Tanjapatkul was taken into custody on October 9, 2023, while attempting to leave the country, according to an FBI affidavit. He faces one count of possession of four machine guns and three counts of possession of child pornography in the U.S. District Court of Santa Ana.

Tanjapatkul’s arrest stems from an investigation that began in March 2023. He was implicated in the sale of a military-grade laser sight on Facebook for $3,250, which was identified as stolen military equipment and part of a larger estimated $2 million trove, previously taken by a former Army officer. Between 2014 and 2019, Tanjapatkul made 150 payments to the former officer totaling $277,000.

During the raid on Tanjapatkul’s residence, authorities seized 71 items, including firearms and a cellphone that contained discussions regarding weapon sales. Furthermore, a hard drive was discovered that held child pornography featuring individuals as young as 7 years old. In July 2024, further investigation into Tanjapatkul’s storage unit revealed an additional 26 firearms and 10 disks containing 79 videos and 831 images of child pornography.

Tanjapatkul described himself as a “collector, trader, and hoarder of gear,” asserting that he believed some of the equipment was legal surplus. If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of 70 years in federal prison. As of now, he is being held on a bond of $250,000 and is scheduled for arraignment on November 18, 2023.

Background Context

Both cases illustrate the serious issues surrounding child exploitation and illegal firearms in the community. The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force aims to tackle online child abuse while local police continue to work in collaboration with federal agencies like the FBI to combat related criminal activity. The Santa Ana community is encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behaviors related to child safety and illegal arms trading.

The investigations continue as authorities compile evidence and seek further information to ensure the safety of the public and bring any offenders to justice.