By Redaccion
[email protected]
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Andre Jon Castro (DOB 08/21/87), of Oxnard, has been charged with one felony count of possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
He is also charged with the special allegation that the victim was vulnerable. Castro pled not guilty at today’s arraignment.
The investigation into Castro began in December 2023, when a company that provides cloud-based file storage reported 17 CyberTips to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Based on the investigation of those CyberTips, it is alleged that Castro was using the cloud-based file storage service to retain CSAM.
On August 5, 2024, a search warrant was served at Castro’s residence in Oxnard where additional evidence was seized. He was arrested by members of the District Attorney’s Office Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Unit, working in conjunction with the Oxnard Police Department. Castro was booked into Ventura County Jail on one felony count of possession of child sexual abuse material and released on $50,000 bail.
In July, the City of Oxnard began a partnership with the District Attorney’s Office to investigate internet crimes against children. The three-year agreement commits a total of $494,544 to support the assignment of a dedicated investigator from the District Attorney’s Office to tackle child sexual abuse crimes within Oxnard.
“This partnership will allow us to better protect our most vulnerable victims,” said District Attorney Chief Investigator Scott Whitney. “It enhances the sharing of highly specialized expertise to more effectively respond to internet crimes against children.”
Senior Deputy District Attorney Marc Leventhal, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Special Prosecutions Fraud and Technology Crimes Unit, is prosecuting the case.
Castro’s next scheduled court date is for an early disposition conference on October 16, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 11 of the Ventura County Superior Court. Castro remains out of custody on $50,000 bail.
Case: 2024021309
Defendant Information:
Andre Jon Castro (DOB 08/21/87)
Oxnard
Charges:
PC 311.11(a) – Possession or control of child sexual abuse material
Special Allegations:
CRC 4.421(a)(3) – Victim was vulnerable
