COSTA MESA, Calif.—Costa Mesa police are seeking the public’s help in identifying potential additional victims after a Lake Forest man and his live-in girlfriend were arrested for allegedly possessing child pornography.
Jonathan Garduno, 30, was apprehended in Costa Mesa on Sept. 7 after attempting to meet with someone he believed to be a 15-year-old girl, who turned out to be a Special Investigations detective posing as a minor online, according to the Costa Mesa Police Department.
Garduno was taken into custody on suspicion of trying to meet a minor with the intent to commit a sex act, and his cell phone was seized as evidence. He was able to post bail on the same day.
Further investigation by detectives revealed videos and images of child pornography on Garduno’s phone, as well as evidence of him distributing the material to others. Garduno’s live-in girlfriend, Khyla Kauffeld, 29, was also linked to the crime.
Costa Mesa detectives, in collaboration with the Orange County Child Exploitation Task Force, conducted a search of Garduno’s residence in Lake Forest on Friday and reportedly discovered additional evidence of child pornography. Subsequently, Garduno and Kauffeld were located and taken into custody.
Garduno faces charges of possession of child pornography, sending or selling child pornography, and distributing obscene material depicting minors. Kauffeld has been arrested on suspicion of possession of child pornography.
Both individuals were able to post bail on Friday.
“Bail schedules are determined by legal charging penal codes and are not set by CMPD,” police stated.
“Due to the serious nature of Garduno’s actions and the discovery of child pornography, Costa Mesa Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying potential additional victims and gathering more information related to this case,” the department added. “Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Gardner at 714-754-4937.”
