By Redaccion
[email protected]
A man from Oxnard has been charged with felony possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) after authorities discovered over 600 images of illicit content on his electronic devices, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.
Aaron Wayne Bouffard, 54, was charged with a felony count of possessing or controlling CSAM and faces an additional allegation of possessing more than 600 images. He was taken into custody following an investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Ventura and local law enforcement.
The case originated in April 2023 when HSI Ventura received a tip from a cryptocurrency platform. The platform reported that a user, later identified as Bouffard, had allegedly used Bitcoin to purchase CSAM. The investigation led to a federal search warrant, allowing authorities to search Bouffard’s Oxnard residence, where they discovered thousands of images on multiple devices.
Bouffard’s arrest occurred on September 20, 2024, in collaboration with the Ventura Police Department, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Ventura County Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force (VC-CEHTTF). He was already on probation at the time, stemming from a 2021 child endangerment case.
Bouffard appeared in Ventura County Superior Court on October 7, 2024, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is currently being held without bail due to a violation of probation. An early disposition conference is set for October 16, 2024, where attorneys will likely discuss a potential resolution to the case.
The prosecution is being handled by Senior Deputy District Attorney Howard Wise and Deputy District Attorney Katherine Plante, both from the Fraud and Technology Crimes Unit of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.
Authorities are asking anyone with additional information about Bouffard’s activities to contact HSI Special Agent Tommy Brizuela Jr. at [email protected].
The VC-CEHTTF, which played a key role in the investigation, consists of local, state, and federal agencies. These include the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Simi Valley Police Department, Oxnard Police Department, Ventura Police Department, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Together, they work to identify, rescue, and protect children from sexual exploitation and abuse through investigative efforts and community education.
HSI Ventura, a part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has been a critical partner in the task force’s mission to address the growing threat of online child exploitation. The task force employs a victim-centered approach, ensuring that survivors receive necessary support while offenders are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
The coordinated effort between HSI Ventura and VC-CEHTTF aims not only to bring offenders like Bouffard to justice but also to raise community awareness and improve prevention strategies. Through their work, they strive to create a safer environment for children by fostering a better understanding of the dangers posed by the internet and equipping communities with the tools to recognize and report suspicious activities.
The Ventura County Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force’s proactive approach underscores the importance of cross-agency collaboration in tackling crimes that transcend borders. Their ongoing efforts demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding the community and protecting the most vulnerable from harm.
