A Chula Vista substitute teacher faces child pornography distribution charges after federal investigators say he admitted having incriminating evidence on his home computer.
Homeland Security special agents arrested Alejandro Castillo Jr., 35, on April 21 when they served a search warrant to his Chula Vista home.
Castillo, a longtime substitute teacher at Los Altos Elementary School, pleaded not guilty to the charges against him in federal court Tuesday. He is being held without bail.
According to a complaint, a Homeland Security agent was doing an undercover investigation into child pornography sharing when he came across a computer suspected of distributing illicit files.
He was able to download at least five videos of child pornography from that source, the complaint states. When he traced the computer’s IP address, the information led him to Castillo.
On April 21, computer forensic agents found more evidence of child pornography on Castillo’s computer when they served a search warrant at his home, investigators say.
While agents read him the warrant, the agent says Castillo told them he possessed the illegal pornography. Even after he was read his Miranda rights and said he understood them, he admitted there were “traces” of child pornography on his desktop and on a hard drive, according to the complaint.
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In addition to working as a substitute and student teacher for Los Altos Elementary Castillo was an in-home tutor and a cabin counselor at summer programs. He also served as a teaching assistant for special needs students in England, said Lauren Mack with Homeland Security.
Castillo will no longer substitute at Los Altos Elementary or any other school, Principal Santos Gonzalez said in a letter sent to parents about the suspect’s arrest.
"We are aware that this is a cause for concern for our school community," the letter reads. "A safe and secure learning environment for all students is our top priority. This matter is also a personnel issue, and we appreciate your patience as we navigate privacy and due process regulations."
Authorities told Gonzalez there is no reason to believe the school or its students were involved, according to the letter.
Chula Vista Elementary School District Superintendent Dr. Francisco Escobedo said he and the staff are “definitely disturbed with this whole arrest,” and their top priority is working with Homeland Security on this investigation.
Castillo's preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 5.
