All posts by Senior Officer Julia Hernandez-Garcia

Repeat Offender Sentenced for New Child Pornography Violation

Contributed by USATXS-Public Affairs Officer Angela Dodge

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Arthur Gregg Hutchins, 67, under supervised release for a previous conviction of possessing child pornography, has been ordered to prison again, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson.

Hutchins was previously convicted in 2005 and released from prison in 2012. He was under supervised release when he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography on June 24, 2013.   

Following a lengthy hearing yesterday, Senior U.S. District Judge Hayden Head considered Hutchins’ demonstrated recidivism and the need to protect the public and ordered him to federal prison for 188 months. The sentence will be served concurrently to a five-year-term of imprisonment ordered for the revocation of his supervised release in the 2005 case. He will also serve a new lifetime term of supervised release following his release during which he will have to comply with numerous conditions designed to restrict his access to children and the internet.

In handing down the sentence, the court noted that Hutchins presents a real and ongoing danger to the children of our community. The court considered the evidence seized in the case – the child pornography as well as written communications between Hutchins and other pedophiles. In those emails, Hutchins claimed to have himself been sexually assaulted, to have personally sexually assaulted children in the past and expressed a desire to sexually assault children in the future. Hutchins claimed that such writings were nothing more than fantasy. However, the Judge rebuffed that denial and stated that society was entitled to take him at his word that he is a person who has and is capable of sexually assaulting children. The court further noted that his almost immediate return to child pornography following his release from prison in June 2012 was a strong indication that he is likely to reoffend.

Hutchins came to the attention of law enforcement from a CyberTip received by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding a person who had posted child pornography images online beginning in September 2012. The images were posted to a popular online photo sharing website by a person using an IP address linked to the Corpus Christi area. 

The IP address was later traced to the wife of Hutchins. Under supervised release and forbidden to reside near a school, Hutchins did not reside with his wife. The investigation was able to exclude the wife due to her work schedule and conflicting times associated with the online postings of child pornography. An investigation into his online activities and financial transactions, led to his identification of the one responsible for the postings.

At the time of his plea, he admitted to possessing images of child pornography he acquired from the internet.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC).

Assistant United States Attorney Lance Duke is prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”

Suspects Sought in Home Invasion

Date:  February 4, 2014, 01:19am
Location:  2002 Airline Road
Event:  Aggravated Robbery
Case Number:  1402040002

Police were called to the Candlewood Apartments for a home invasion.  Officers contacted a 24-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman who reported three to four men wearing masks kicked in the door and robbed them.  The male resident was assaulted and the money in his wallet taken.  The woman was ordered to lay face down on the bed while they ransacked the apartment.   Shortly thereafter, the suspects fled taking electronic equipment, money, and cell phones.

The duo was ordered to stay inside the bathroom and not to come out.  The woman was uninjured, but the young man sustained minor injuries to his face.  He declined any medical attention.

The suspects are described as three Black males, standing 6′ to 6’5″ feet tall and weighing 200 lbs.  Anyone with any information on this crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or submit a tip online at www.888TIPS.com.  Callers will earn a cash reward if the suspects are identified and arrested.

Patrol Report for February 1, 2014

Adam District

Date:  January 31, 2014, 4:34pm
Location:   11325 IH 37 Access http://goo.gl/maps/i6jE8
Event:  Assault
Case Number:  1401310094

Police were called to the apartment complex for a disturbance.  Pale Toa Eva (11/17/76) was arrested for an outstanding Los Angeles County warrant for Assault.  He was also charged with Assault when further investigation revealed he pushed his 34-year-old girlfriend into a wall and threatened her 10-year-old son.

Date: January 31, 2014, 6:46pm
Location:  6100 Old Brownsville   http://goo.gl/maps/qxKy9
Event:  Driving While Intoxicated~Open Container
Case Number:   1401310126/C1400418

Officers responded to a major single vehicle crash. When they arrived they observed a white Chevrolet Cavalier turned upside down in a ditch.  The driver Barnabas Joshua Benavides (04/29/81) was found to be intoxicated and a blood warrant obtained.  Benavides was medically cleared and arrested.  He was charged with Driving While Intoxicated~Open Container.

Bravo District

Date:  January 30, 2014, 3:01pm
Location:  900 Egyptian Drive http://goo.gl/maps/6Y48N
Event:  Scam
Case Number:  1401300093

A 44-year-old man reported to police that he received three phone calls from a “mysterious caller” stating that his brother was being held hostage after being involved in a traffic accident.

The caller wanted $1500 so that the victim’s brother could be released. The caller was clear as to not involving the police. The victim does not have a brother and determined the call was a scam.

Fortunately in this case, the intended victim was suspicious and contacted the Corpus Christi Police Department first.  These scams continue however because many individuals and elderly fall prey to these highly convincing professional criminals.

In many cases when victims learn that they were fooled, they are too embarrassed to tell anyone else. Please take a little time to talk about such scams with your family, church and community groups and remind them not to give out banking, credit card or other personnel information to anyone who calls you over the phone.  There are many resources online to educate folks about what is traditionally known as the “Grandparent Scam”.  The link below is from the US state Department.

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/emergencies/scams/grandparent-scams.html

Please contact Crime Prevention Advisors Cliff Bost (361-886-2669) and Jonie Pettita (36-886-2568) for Personal and Senior Safety presentations.

Charlie District

Date: February 1, 2014, 04:18am
Location:  1900 Tarlton Street http://goo.gl/maps/0Rciw
Event:  Driving While Intoxicated
Case Number:  140201003/C1400424

Police arrested Eduardo Moreno (12/15/76) after he was involved in a traffic accident.  Moreno was driving a black Chevrolet Impala when he lost control of the vehicle and struck a tree in front of 1902 Tarlton Street.  Moreno was administered Standard Field Sobriety Tests and blood draw taken.  He was medically cleared and booked at the City Detention Center.  He was charged with Driving While Intoxicated.

Date:  February 1, 2014, 04:23am
Location:  4337 S. Padre Island Drive http://goo.gl/maps/sqki1
Event:  Murder
Case Number:  1402010039

Police and Fire were called to the Embassy Suites Hotel for a fight involving injuries.  When Officers arrived they began CPR on a 31-year-old man who was taken over by CCFD Emergency Personnel.  The man was rushed to Doctor’s Regional where he was pronounced deceased.

Corpus Christi Police Department Homicide/Robbery Detectives were called to investigate.  At this time, no one has been arrested, but the investigation will continue into the victim’s homicide.  Updates to this homicide will be released as they become available.

Anyone with any information on this crime is asked to call Homicide/Robbery Detectives at 361-886-2841.  If you would like to remain anonymous, please call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or submit a tip online at www.888TIPS.com.  Tipsters will earn a cash reward if the information provided leads to the arrest of the suspect.

Delta District

Date:  February 1, 2014, 12:13am
Location:  705 S. Port Avenue http://goo.gl/maps/TP7Md
Event:   Aggravated Assault
Case Number:  1402010006   

A 38-year-old man was stabbed once in the chest after being involved in a verbal disturbance with another man.  Witness told Police they observed two men arguing in front of Mica’s Bar, but no one witnessed the stabbing.

The victim was uncooperative and would not provide Officers with a description of the suspect.  He was taken to Spohn Memorial  by CCFD Emergency Personnel with non-life threatening injuries.

Date:  January 31, 2014, 11:16pm
Location:  400 S. Shoreline Boulevard http://goo.gl/maps/XJBdT
Event:  Racing on Highway
Case Number:  1401310165

Officer V. Ortiz was patrolling the Down Town area when he observed a black Subaru Impreza, a silver GMC Sierra, and a black Mazda racing down Shoreline Boulevard.   He was able to pull over all three vehicles and arrest the drivers.

Thomas Lee Roe (10/08/91), David Castillo (04/07/95), and Seth Morris (03/25/95) were all booked at the City Detention Center and their vehicles impounded.  The three men were charged with Racing on Highway which is a Class “B” Misdemeanor which is punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.

Suspect in C.A.S.A. Burglary Arrested

Date:  January 27, 2014, 08:11 a.m.
Location: 2602 Prescott Street
Event:  Burglary of a Building
Case Number:  1401270014/1401270028

AndrewLeoPenaCorpus Christi Police were called to CASA of the Coastal Bend for an alarm call at 1:35 a.m. on January 27, 2014.  Officers discovered a window had been smashed open.  A canine officer was called and “Indy” along with Officers cleared the building.  At the time, entry was not gained into the building.

Later that morning, at 8:11 a.m., police returned to CASA when it was discovered to have been burglarized.  CASA personnel reported the building had been ransacked with computer and electronic equipment taken.

On January 28, 2014 at 9:15 a.m. police were dispatched to the 2400 block Cloyde for a report of found property.  The homeowner told police she observed a woman’s wallet and a couple of prescription bottles.  She then called the owner of the wallet and learned the items had been stolen in the CASA burglary.  Officers were able to recover a Lenovo Think Pad, Apple Super Drive, Nikon camera, cell phone, and assorted toys taken in the burglary.

At approximately 2:30 p.m. police were again called to the residence for a disturbance.  Officers located a suspect possibly involved in the CASA burglary.  Andrew Leo Pena (08/30/92) was arrested and charged with Motion to Revoke Probation on a Burglary charge.

On January 29, 2014, Detective G. Shipley was able to obtain an arrest warrant for Pena in the CASA burglary.  Pena was additionally charged with Burglary of a Building.  His bond was set at $10,000.

Who’s That Man in the ‘Stang?

Date:  January 6, 2014, 2:16am
Location: 1510 S. Padre Island Drive  http://goo.gl/maps/48Euj
Event:  Burglary of a Vehicle

Case Number:  1401140111

Corpus Christi Police Detectives are asking the public’s assistance to identify the individual who can be seen driving into the parking lot of a local restaurant in a red Ford Mustang.  The man can be seen exiting his vehicle and talking on his cell phone while scoping out several vehicles in the parking lot.  He can be seen taking a routing tool from a pick-up truck.

Video surveillance clips of the suspect have been uploaded to the police department’s CorpusChristiPD YouTube site at http://youtu.be/ttLgWDekwgA.

Anyone with any information on the identity of the suspect is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at www.888TIPS.com.  Tipsters will earn a cash reward if the suspects are identified and arrested.

Patrol Report for January 29, 2014

The Corpus Christi Police Department generated 78 original reports for formal criminal complaints from midnight January 28, 2014 to 6:00am January 29, 2014. These are a sample of the criminal complaints filed by the Corpus Christi Police for that time period.

Adam District

Date: January 28, 2014, 6:47pm
Location: 500 Hwy 358 Fwy NB
Event:  Driving While Intoxicated (2nd or more)
Case Number:  1401280132

RubenRGarciaOfficers worked a minor accident in which green Isuzu Rodeo was found facing the wrong direction of travel.  A witness told Police that the driver Ruben R. Garcia (08/23/51) was tailgating another vehicle when the driver tapped on the brakes to warn him that he was following too close.  Garcia swerved and lost control of the Rodeo striking the barrier.  Neither Garcia nor his 43-year-old female passenger was injured.

Garcia was found to be intoxicated and administered Standard Field Sobriety Tests and a Blood Specimen taken.  He was arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated~2nd or more which is a Class “A” Misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine.  He was also cited for Failing to Maintain Financial Responsibility, No Driver’s License, and Following Too Closely.

Bravo District

Date:  January 28, 2014, 9:53pm
Location:  200 Caribbean Drive http://goo.gl/maps/5fzZx
Event:  Possession of Marijuana
Case Number:  1401280152

MaeganParadaPolice pulled over a vehicle for a traffic violation and Officers could smell the odor of marijuana wafting towards him as she rolled down the driver’s side window.  The in-car camera captured Maegan Kae Parada (04/18/90) concealing a plastic baggie containing marijuana in her pants.  Parada was arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana.  The driver was cited and released.

Delta District

Date:  January 29, 2014, 2:29am
Location: Baldwin Boulevard and Morgan Avenue http://goo.gl/maps/AcSPq
Event: Wanted Subject
Case Number: 1401290007

ImynLoveJuarezCorpus Christi Police contacted two bicyclists who were riding in the roadway.  Neither bicycle had a light to front or reflectors on back.

Imyn Love Juarez (03/16/95) was found to be wanted and placed under arrest.  She was charged with two outstanding Nueces County warrants for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Motion to Revoke Probation on a Theft charge.

Stop by our Monthly Auction and get a Sweetheart of a Deal

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On Saturday, February 2, 2014, a total of 86 cars, trucks, and motorcycles will be auctioned at the Corpus Christi Police Department Vehicle Impound Lot located at 5485 Greenwood Drive during our monthly auction. The site has four paved acres for an auction lot. 

Approximately 22 of these vehicles are “No Insurance” impounds. On Friday, February 1, 2014, the general public will be allowed to register and view the vehicles to be auctioned from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There is no registration fee. 

On the day of the auction, the general public can continue to register and view the vehicles from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The auction will commence promptly at 10:00 a.m. on February 2, 2014.   The vehicles to be auctioned can be viewed at www.siskauction.com.  An auction list may also be downloaded from the same website. 

The department’s strong stand and enforcement of this “Zero Tolerance No Insurance Initiative” will continue and all vehicles involved in accidents will be impounded and the driver cited if they are unable to provide financial proof of insurance. Driver’s license and proof of financial responsibility checkpoints will continue to be conducted at the Shift Captains’ authorization. 

During January  2014, Officers issued 3109 citations for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility and impounded 71 vehicles for the same charge.  In 2013, a total of 7,114 citations for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility were issued and 1,036 vehicles were impounded for the same charge.

Gulf Coast Violent Offenders & Fugitive Task Force Arrests Suspect in Aggravated Assault

Date: Wednesday, January 15, 2014, 3:15pm
Location: 9337 South Padre Island Drive http://goo.gl/maps/wz6g6
Offense: Aggravated Assault 
Case Number: 1401150093

Two men reported to the Corpus Christi Police that a 47-year-old man assaulted them at a local storage facility on Wednesday, January 15, 2014.  The man was upset when police were called the day before due to the suspect having several dogs in the storage unit.

The 32-year-old man told Officers that he pulled the attacker off the 52-year-old man and forced the suspect out of the office. The 32-year-old man told Officers the 47-year-old man got a handgun and used the gun as hammer to strike the glass door causing an estimated $200 dollars worth of damage.

The 32-year-old man told Officers the 47-year-old man left prior to law enforcement arrival. The 32-year-old man had minor injuries, but the 52-year-old man was taken to Spohn Memorial by CCFD Emergency Personnel with non-life threatening injuries.

Corpus Christi Homicide/Robbery Detectives were able  to identify and obtain an arrest warrant for Huyen Nguyen (10/18/66) for Aggravated Assault (Causing Serious Bodily Injury).  The charge is a  Second Degree Felony punishable by up to 20 years and a $10,000 fine.  Nguyen’s bond was set at $170,000.

On January 24, 2014, Nguyen was arrested by the Gulf Coast Violent Offender and Fugitive Task Force at 3338 Holly Road.  Nguyen was booked at the City Detention Center.

Three Arrested During Narcotics Raid

Date:  January 23, 2014, 10:45pm
Location:  1458 19th Street
Offense:  Search Warrant
Case Number: 1401230155

 On Thursday, January 23, 2014 at approximately 10:45pm Narcotics Vice Investigation Division Officers along with the assistance of  “K” Shift Patrol Officers conducted an operation in regards to a drug house located at 1458 19th St.

The 19th Street residence had been the target of an ongoing narcotics investigation.  NVID officers had the residence under surveillance as they prepared to serve a search and arrest warrant when a wanted individual named Jamie Jesus Garcia (10/02/80) left the residence.

Garcia was pulled over and the traffic stop resulted in the recovery of approximately one ounce of powder cocaine.  Garcia and his passenger Joshua Stewart (08/11/85) were both subsequently arrested.  They were both charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance.

At approximately 10:57pm, NVID officers served a search warrant at 1458 19th St.  Officers seized 5.71 ounces of powder Cocaine, 1.98 ounces of Crack Cocaine and seven dosage units (2 grams) of MDMA (Ecstasy).  The drugs have a total street value of $10,845.  Officers additionally seized a 2003 Chevrolet Suburban. 

Juan Jesus Chapa (04/07/82) was also arrested and charged with  Manufacturing/Delivery of a Controlled Substance.  All three men were booked at the City Detention Center.

Thieves Take Empty Cash Register

Date:  January 6, 2014, 2:16am
Location:  2763 S. Staples Street
Event:  Burglary of a Building
Case Number:  1401060013

Corpus Christi Police Detectives are asking the public’s assistance to identify the individuals involved in the burglary of the Jalisco’s Meat Market.  The suspects gained entry into the building and stole a cash register.

Video surveillance clips of the suspects have been uploaded to the police department’s CorpusChristiPD YouTube site at http://youtu.be/xBVXfu7omw8.

Anyone with any information on the identity of the suspects is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at www.888TIPS.com.  Tipsters will earn a cash reward if the suspects are identified and arrested.