Former Scotts Valley employee arrested for child porn

UPDATE 10/12/16 10:23 p.m.: Scotts Valley police and the city’s Parks and Recreation Department held a community meeting Wednesday night to address concerns after a former city employee was arrested for requesting and receiving nude photos from a minor.

Trevor Arriola,23, was a part-time park and recreation aid from March 2014 to August 2016. According to the police, he met a 15-year-old girl several years ago and the two reconnected on social media recently. A city employee reported their online relationship after Arriola resigned from his position.

Concerned parents came to the meeting to find out more.

“I have two kids in kindergarten, and it’s their second year at Vine Hill School, so they’ve been at the rec program for a year,” said Marco Walsh.

Vine Hill and Brook Knoll elementary schools were the two Arriola worked at as a park and rec aid.

Like all parents, Walsh says his children’s safety is always on his mind.

“Up until today, I’ve always felt the recreation program has been a safe and happy and healthy place for them,” Wash said. “I hope that it still is.”

Dozens of Scotts Valley parents came to the community meeting to find out how Arriola landed the job in the first place. officials said he went through rigorous screenings.

“Everyone who is subject to any interaction with children has to go through a life scan, and they also have to be subject to a background check with the DOJ, which is the Department of Justice and the FBI as well,” said city manager Jenny Haruyama.

But a clean record didn’t stop Arriola from allegedly asking a teenager for naked pictures.

“Unfortunately, we aren’t the thought police, and it’s very difficult to understand what might be going on in someone’s head,” Haruyama said. “We do actively watch behavior.”

Many parents are turning to the police for advice on how to talk to their children.

“First, do you know this person, and then monitoring and seeing what their social media is,” Lt. John Wilson recommended.

Walsh said his kids are too young now: “They are just turning 6, so they are certainly internet aware, but they like to watch YouTube kids, and videos about their favorite toys.”

But he’ll be watching more closely.

“We just have to be vigilant and make sure they are safe,” Walsh said.

Arriola was arrested last Thursday and has been released on bond.

On Wednesday, the district attorney added several more felony charges because Arriola reportedly shared the minor’s photos with others.

PREVIOUS STORY:

Scotts Valley police and the Scotts Valley Parks and Recreation Department are holding a community meeting Wednesday night after a former city employee was arrested for child pornography.

Police said Trevor Arriola received a nude photo from a 15-year-old girl he reconnected with on social media.

Officers are not saying much about the case, but they did say Arriola worked with the parks and recreation after-school program between 2014 and 2016.

The city said a meeting is being held to answer questions and concerns from the public. It will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the Scotts Valley Water District.