Full Notification

DATE/TIME: April 18, 2018

INCIDENT: PC311.11: Possession of Child Pornography, PC29800(a)(1): Felon in Possession of Firearm, HS11377(a) Possession of Methamphetamine, HS11379.6: Manufacture of Drugs

LOCATION: 8400 block of Eleventh Ave., Hesperia

SUSPECT: Stephen Higgins, 47 years old, resident of Hesperia

VICTIM(S): Unidentified

SUMMARY:
On February 23, 2018, the San Bernardino County Internet Crimes Against Children Team, which consists of Deputy Brian Arias and Detective Kathy Oros, received two related Cyber-Tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC.) Arias was assigned to investigate the Cyber-Tips that were sent to NCMEC by an online digital file storage provider. The Cyber-Tips contained images of confirmed child pornography. Arias authored search warrants addressed to the online storage provider, the email provider, the wireless phone carrier, and the Internet service provider (ISP). The online storage provider, wireless phone carrier, and email provider provided the requested information by late March 2018. Arias received the final response from the ISP in early April 2018. The information he gathered confirmed the uploads took place on the 8400 block of Eleventh Ave. in Hesperia, and identified the suspect as Stephen Higgins.

Deputy Arias reviewed all the information he received and used various law enforcement databases and search techniques to positively identify Higgins as the suspect who uploaded child pornography, and verified Higgins’ address in Hesperia.
Detectives from Specialized Investigations Division - Crimes Against Children Detail (CACD), detectives and deputies from the Hesperia Station, and personnel from the Sheriff’s Department Specialized Enforcement Division (SED) assisted with the service of the search warrant at Higgins' home.

Through this investigation, Arias confirmed Higgins was in possession of child pornography. During the search, sheriff’s personnel recovered a stolen rifle, a handgun, over 2000 rounds of ammunition and a drug lab. Detectives from the Sheriff’s Department Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET) responded to process the lab.

The Department of Children and Family Services also responded to handle the minors who lived in the home. Higgins was arrested and booked at the High Desert Detention Center. He is being held on $500,000 bail.

Refer: Deputy Brian Arias or Sgt Robin Real

Station: Specialized Investigations Division - Crimes Against Children Detail

Phone No. (909)387-3615

Case No. 601800040

JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department