Full Notification

INCIDENT: DOWNLOADING OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY/ POSSESSION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

SUSPECTS: Nicholas Benjamin Ray, 31 years old, resident of Apple Valley
Israel Omar Avila, 18 years old, resident of Adelanto

SUMMARY:

Between Tuesday, August 1, 2017 and Wednesday, August 2, 2017, Deputy Thomas Gates from the Victor Valley Sheriff’s Station made two separate arrests for the downloading and possession of child pornography.

Deputy Gates, who is assigned to follow up on Child Protective Services (CPS) referrals and Adult Protective Services (APS) referrals, received information on the above suspects and immediately started an investigation on both individuals.

Deputy Gates was notified through a Cyber-Tipline Report that Nicholas Benjamin Ray was uploading images of child pornography on to his Gmail account. Deputy Gates authored a search warrant for Ray’s residence in the 11200 block of Tujunga Drive in Apple Valley. On Tuesday, August 1, 2017, at approximately 11:33 am, Deputy Gates, with the assistance of detectives and deputies from the Victor Valley Sheriff’s Station, served the search warrant at the residence. Nicholas Benjamin Ray was arrested and booked at the High Desert Detention Center. He is currently being held in lieu of $25,000.00 bail.

An additional, unrelated case was reported to Deputy Gates through a Cyber-Tipline which led to the arrest of Israel Omar Avila from Adelanto. The original tip could not identify the suspect; however, as a result of a thorough investigation, Deputy Gates was able to identify Avila as the suspect downloading the pornographic images of children. On Wednesday, August 2, 2017, he was arrested without incident. Avila was booked at the High Desert Detention Center where he was later released on bail.

These cases would not have been so quickly solved without the hard work and dedication of Deputy Thomas Gates. The CPS/ APS position at the Victor Valley Sheriff’s Station was implemented by Captain Gregg Herbert to work as a liaison with Child Protective Services (CPS) and Adult Protective Services (APS) to ensure these cases are quickly investigated to protect those who are unable to protect themselves.

Anyone with information regarding these cases are urged to contact Deputy Thomas Gates at the Victor Valley Sheriff’s Station, (760) 552-6801. Persons wishing to remain anonymous can report information to WeTip by calling 1-800-78-CRIME, or by accessing the website at www.wetip.com.


Refer: Staci Parks

Station: Victor Valley

Phone No: 760-552-6845

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