Berkeley, California (Thursday, August 26, 2021) - On May 10th, Berkeley High School officials notified the Berkeley Police Department’s School Resource Officer that several female students had their social media accounts hacked to search for and access personal nude photographs. The hacker then posted the underage nude photographs to various social media sites. The suspect then attempted to extort the victims for more nude photographs. During the course of the initial report, a total of 17 victims were discovered across the bay area. The suspect targeted several private and public bay area schools located in Alameda County, Contra Costa County and Marin County.
With the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the School Resource Officer was able to coordinate with Youth Services detectives to identify the suspect as a 19-year-old Berkeley man. Detectives then obtained a warrant for the suspect’s arrest.
During the investigation into the suspect, detectives discovered that the suspect had amassed over 130 videos of child pornography—to include images of children from age 3 to 12 years old. In addition to this, detectives also found the personal information (names, logins, passwords, etc.) for over 100 people for the purpose of accessing their social media accounts.
On the evening of August 23rd, officers arrested the suspect in Berkeley.
On August 25th, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office charged the suspect with PC 311.11(a)—felony possession of child pornography, multiple counts of PC 502(c)—felony accessing “hacking” computer systems, PC 530.5(c)(3)—felony identity theft, and multiple counts of PC 647(j)(4)—distributing private intimate images (AKA revenge porn).
If you have any information about this case or believe that you also may be a victim, please contact BPD’s Youth Service Detail at (510) 981-5715.
Case 2021-00020753
