Category: Uncategorized

Salvador Munoz of Buelton Caught with Child Pornography

Thousands of Lewd Photos of Kids Discovered on iPhone and Computer

By Jae Brattain | Posted 01.08.2014

Salvador Gallegos Munoz

On December 19, 2013, Salvador Gallegos Munoz went to a Sprint Store in Santa Barbara to exchange his iPhone 4S to a newer iPhone 5 model.  The store technician took the older phone and hooked it up with the new one.  He began transferring the data between devices, when he noticed images of pre-teen boys performing lewd acts.  The employee contacted his corporate office security division about the situation, in which they instructed him to call the Santa Barbara Police Department.

Officer arrived on scene and confiscated the iPhone 4S for evidence.  After receiving a search warrant to go through the device, detectives discovered three photos of children engaged in sexual conduct.  One image showed two boys, who appear to be 10 to 12-year old in age, performing lascivious acts with each other.  Shortly afterwards, the detectives were able to get a $20,000 warrant issued for the arrest of Munoz.  In addition, another search warrant was obtained from a judge to search his home near Pea Soup Andersen’s in Buelton.

400 Block of Central Avenue near Pea Soup Andersen’s in Buelton

Execution of the warrants took place at approximately 7:00 am on Tuesday, January 7, 2014.  Munoz was immediately taken into custody by officers and his computer was searched thoroughly.  Detectives discovered thousands of images and videos on his hard drive.  By his own admission, Munoz indicated that he had been accumulating child pornography for at least eight years.  He also exchanged images and videos with other users over the Internet during that time period.  During the interrogation, Munoz denied being involved in any physical sexual acts or abuse.

Detectives are investigating the situation further.  Munoz was transported to the Santa Barbara County Jail where his bail bond has been set in the amount of $20,000.

Police Arrest Ronald Beltran for Attempted Murder and Auto Theft

Suspect Being Held at Santa Barbara County Jail with No Bail

By Jae Brattain | Posted 01.07.2013

Ronald Anthony Beltran

Officers from the Santa Barbara Police Department answered a call over the weekend about a stolen vehicle near the corner of East Figueroa and North Milpas.  The victim informed the police that Ronald Beltran, 39, had taken his truck without permission and stabbed him with a knife around 3:30 pm Sunday afternoon.  However, the report was not made until 11:30 pm in the evening.

The 46-year old male, who is related to Beltran, had been taking a shower at the time when the stabbing incident occurred.  Beltran wielded a knife while threatening his life, then punctured the victim twice in the back.  The wounds were superficial and did not require hospitalization.  But it was serious enough to justify attempted murder charges.

Another relative happened to be nearby and assisted by intervening in the situation.  Beltran left the residence, but the victim did not report the incident immediately.  He left the home for personal matters and returned around 9:00 pm.  Upon his return, the victim noticed his vehicle was gone.  Another relative indicated that Beltran took the keys and truck.

1100 Block of North Milpas Street

California Highway Patrol officers notified police that the vehicle had been involved in a collision, but was unoccupied when inspecting the scene.  It was located near the intersection of Old Coast Highway and the 101 Freeway.

During this time, patrolmen had been watching a van owned by Beltran near Milpas Street.  At approximately 12:45 am, the assailant returned and was confronted by officers at the scene.  He resisted arrest, but was eventually taken into custody after a scuffle.

Investigators noted that relatives said Beltran appeared heavily intoxicated before everything occurred.  However, detectives were not able to ascertain a motive because the suspect refused to provide any information.  Nevertheless, Beltran did admit that he wanted to provoke the victim into a fight by taking the truck without permission.

He is being held at Santa Barbara County Jail with no bail bonds.  He faces multiple charges including attempted murder, hit and run, stealing a vehicle, and resisting arrest by police.  His first hearing will be Tuesday, January 7, at Santa Barbara County Superior Court.

DUI Arrests Slightly Lower than Last Year in Santa Barbara County

Santa Barbara Law Enforcement Arrest Over 150 People During the Holidays

By Jae Brattain | Published 01.06.2014

Local authorities placed a heavy emphasis on arresting drivers who were under the influence of alcohol and drugs during the holiday period.  Agencies throughout the County of Santa Barbara were on high alert for a period of 20-days from mid-December to New Year’s Day.  There were 151 people arrested in total according to provisional estimates.  This compared to 154 apprehended last year during the same time.  Some agencies have not reported their arrest totals yet.

Several checkpoints were setup in conjunction with a major uptick in patrol presence.  The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department and California Highway Patrol made the most DUI arrests during the holidays.  Sheriff’s deputies were prepared for an increase in population at Santa Barbara County Jail.  Most individuals were released on citation, but others had bail bonds set for their cases.

There was one fatal crash involving a 68-year old Buellton woman named Linda Wall.  The incident occurred near Chumash Casino Resort on December 19th.  Rebecca Sandoval has been accused of the DUI-related crime and now faces charges of murder.  The Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case.

Linda Wall was killed in this 3-vehicle DUI collision near the Chumash Casino Resort. (Santa Barbara County Fire Department photo)

Law enforcement are planning more DUI/driver’s license checkpoints and increased patrols in the coming year.  For the immediate future, Super Bowl weekend during the beginning of February has been targeted initially, with a follow up in March for St. Patrick’s Day.  No other plans have been indicated, but there may be other times when there is added attention given to potential DUI drivers.

Motorists who suspect fellow drivers of driving impaired are encouraged to call 9-1-1 to report.  It is legal to make emergency 9-1-1 calls on cellular phones while driving as long as it’s to a law enforcement agency, fire department, medical provider, or other emergency service agencies.

Authorities receive funding for the added DUI enforcement through a California Office of Traffic Safety grant via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The  AVOID the 12 Task Force is so named for the twelve Santa Barbara County law enforcement agencies who participate in the program.

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