Full Notification

Morgan Hill Police on Monday the 16th announced the arrest of Stephen Lewis 21, of Oceanside, Calif., on state charges for illegally meeting a minor to engage in lewd or lascivious behavior and possession of child pornography.

Lewis was arrested Sept. 14 following a multi-agency investigation involving the Morgan Hill Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. Lewis, who resides in Southern California, made contact with a male subject over the Internet who agreed to allow Lewis to have sexual relations with his two minor children. The male subject Lewis interacted with online was actually an undercover agent.

When Lewis arrived at the predetermined time and location in Morgan Hill to meet the man, Morgan Hill Officers took him into custody without incident. Lewis was later booked into the Santa Clara County Jail.

“Many child sexual predators mistakenly believe they can act on their unconscionable urges with impunity and anonymity online, but as this case shows, nothing could be further from the truth,” said Joseph Vincent, assistant special agent in charge for HSI San Jose. “Homeland Security Investigations will continue to work closely with its law enforcement partners here and around the globe to target those engaged in the sexual exploitation of children to see that they are held accountable for their crimes.”

“Law Enforcement works diligently to protect everyone in our communities; especially children who are the most vulnerable. I am very proud of the dedicated professionals who worked as a team to keep this predator from victimizing children.” - Morgan Hill Police Chief David Swing

Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to call Detective Joseph Burdick of the Morgan Hill Police Department, 408-779-2101 or the anonymous tip line at 408-947-STOP (7867).