Thomas Perez Jewell, Child Pornography Production, California 2012

Grimy Times Exclusive: California Youth Counselor Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Production

A shocking case of child exploitation has come to light in Pleasant Hill, California, where a youth counselor has pleaded guilty to producing child pornography. Thomas Perez Jewell, 54, admitted to sexually molesting two minor victims and producing child pornography of the molestation.

Jewell, who was employed as a youth counselor and therapist, was arrested on November 18, 2011, after law enforcement executed a search warrant on his residence for suspected possession of child pornography. He has been in custody since his arrest.

According to court documents, Jewell’s molestation offenses were discovered when law enforcement executed a search warrant on his residence. The investigation was conducted by the FBI, Pleasant Hill Police Department, Martinez Police Department, and Walnut Creek Police Department.

Jewell pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography in federal court in Oakland, California, on February 27, 2012, before U.S. District Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton. He is scheduled to be sentenced on February 29, 2012, and faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a maximum term of life on supervised release.

Jewell will also be required to register as a sex offender in accordance with state and federal law. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.

The investigation and prosecution of Jewell’s case highlights the importance of community vigilance in preventing child exploitation. It also demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement agencies to protect children and bring perpetrators to justice.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Hill and Trial Attorney Mi Yung Park of the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) in the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Sex Crimes

Tad Cummins, Transporting Minor for Sex, Tennessee 2017

Apr 25, 2017

Sex Crimes

Cecil L. Pulluaim, Child Pornography, Missouri 2023

Dec 16, 2024

Sex Crimes

Leonardo Rubio, Child Pornography, South Carolina 2021

Apr 21, 2023

Sex Crimes

Sean Paul Conley-Refer, Receipt of Material Involving the Sexual Exploitation of Minors, Pennsylvania 2021

Nov 17, 2021