Sheriff’s Detectives Apprehend Scott Lienhart for Child Pornography and Drugs

The UCSB Student Had Lewd Images Stored on Cell Phone

by Jae Brattain | posted 01.16.2014

Scott Lienhart

Scott Lienhart has been arrested after Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies stumbled upon the suspect manufacturing concentrated cannabis in his backyard.  The incident began when deputies were citing his roommate for being under 21 and having alcohol.  The individual being cited ran away from the scene, but was later located at his residence that he shares with Lienhart.  Neighbors in the area provided assistance to the deputies by pointing where the suspect lived.

They found the individual at a house near the corner of Sabado Tarde Road and Camino Pesdacero in Isla Vista, which is only two blocks away from the UCSB campus. His name has not been released.  However, deputies also discovered illegal concentrated cannabis being produced in the backyard by 19-year old Lienhart.  He is a student

The initial incident occurred January 8th, but was followed up with further investigation by the Isla Vista Foot Patrol and Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division.  A search warrant was obtained and then subsequently executed on January 14.

While searching the residence, investigators discovered pornographic images of children on Lienhart’s cell phone.  He was arrested at the scene and taken to Santa Barbara County Jail.  Initially, a bail bond set for the defendant, but he was later released on his own recognizance.  The District Attorney’s Office has been forwarded all of the case information from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

At this time, Lienhart is being charged with possession of child pornography, manufacturing concentrated cannabis, and possession of a controlled substance.  All are felony level charges, which could carry a possible California State Prison sentence.  However, the charges may be reduced to misdemeanors once the case is determined by a Superior Court judge.

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.