News

Eureka resident Cole Machado, a familiar face in Humboldt County political circles, was arrested Tuesday on child pornography charges, according to a press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office. The release states that the investigation, which resulted from a "report from a concerned citizen," is ongoing.

In 2007, Machado, 24, ran for a seat on the College of the Redwoods Board of Trustees, and has been active in any number of local political campaigns.

UPDATE: "Images were found during the initial investigation," said Brenda Godsey of the Sheriff's Office moments ago. Godsey couldn't say too much, but she did say that the images found spoke for themselves -- that they were not ambiguous, as might be the case with some pornographic images.

"It's at sort of a critical point in the case, where if we reveal too much information we can jeopardize our witness sources," Godsey added. "We felt that it was important to get the information out there to assist the investigation."

Press release follows.

EUREKA – Humboldt County Sheriff’s Detectives arrested a Eureka man Tuesday after finding him in possession of child pornography. Detectives were made aware of the case after receiving a report from a concerned citizen. After an initial investigation and developing additional information, Detectives obtained a search warrant Tuesday for the residence of Cole Jack Machado. Upon serving the warrant at Machado’s Quaker Street residence, Detectives confiscated personal computers, cell phones, and other evidence. The electronics will be analyzed by a computer forensic specialist with the District Attorney’s Office.

Detectives arrested Machado at his residence and booked him into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for possession of child pornography. Machado posted bail and was released. He is scheduled to appear in court August 3, 2010.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about this case should call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251.