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The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office has arrested a 31-year-old McKinleyville man on suspicion of possessing child pornography.

According to a press release, Brandon Markus Allen Sampanes was taken into custody at 7 a.m. today as investigators with the sheriff's office's Major Crimes Division served a search warrant at his home on the 1100 block of Killdeer Road.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children contacted the sheriff's office back in March with information about a subject in the Humboldt County area suspected of possessing more than 50 images of child pornography, according to the release, which sparked the investigation that later identified Sampanes as a suspect.

According to the release, investigators confirmed that Sampanes was in possession of child pornography during the search of his residence today.

The sheriff's office asks that anyone with information about the case call (707) 445-7251 or its crime tip line at (707) 268-2539.

See the full press release copied below.

Possession of Child Pornography Arrest

In late March of this year, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Division received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding a subject in the Humboldt County area suspected of possessing more than 50 images depicting child pornography.

Through a lengthy investigation, the suspect was identified as Brandon Markus Allen Sampanes, age 31, of McKinleyville. During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Sampanes was in possession of additional images and videos depicting child pornography.

On May 11, 2023, at about 7:00 a.m., Investigators with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Division served a Search Warrant and Arrest Warrant at a residence in the 1100 block of Killdeer Rd. in McKinleyville. Sampanes was arrested without incident. Based upon statements and evidence located during service of the Search Warrant, Investigators confirmed that Sampanes was the person in possession of the child pornography.

Sampanes was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on felony charges of Possession of Child Pornography (PC 311.11(c)(1)). The case is being submitted to the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.

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