Elderly Man in Santa Cruz Arrested on Child Porn Charges
Detectives have arrested 67-year-old Richard Lester Brode on child porn charges.
Detectives were investigating Brode after they received a complaint from someone in the community who is a mandatory reporter on Friday. A mandatory reporter is someone who is obligated by law to report any suspicion of sexual abuse.
Officers said they received a complaint that Brode was holding his victims against their will and forcibly raping them. Police did not release any information about the victims to protect their identities.
A search warrant was served at Brode’s home and officers found child pornography. Police also said that Brode had hardbound books that contained child pornography, with titles such as “Child Women” and “Immediate Family”.
Brode was arrested and booked into jail on multiple charges.
Detectives are continuing to follow up on the case to determine if there are additional victims. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Santa Cruz Police Department Investigations Unit at (831) 420-5820.
