A local Marine pilot arrested on federal child pornography charges had his arraignment in court Friday.
Up until Thursday MCAS Miramar-based Marine Capt. Joshua Taylor flew Super Stallion Helicopters.
Now, he’s involved in what is being described as one of the most disturbing child porn cases ever seen in San Diego County.
The 28-year-old helicopter pilot is accused of possessing nearly 5,000 images and videos of child pornography, some of which include bondage and beastiality.
Authorities said Capt. Taylor was in possession of images of children as young as four years old.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alessandra Serano said agents began investigating Capt. Taylor after they found someone at his home in Mira Mesa was accessing a child porn website.
The home, which was recently sold, was shared by Capt. Taylor and his wife.
Local
Last December, federal agents served a search warrant and discovered thousands of child porn images on a compact disc.
At the time, authorities said Capt. Taylor was deployed aboard USS Makin Island.
Military investigators interviewed him and searched his quarters, where they said they found more computers and more images of child pornography.
On Thursday, Capt. Taylor was taken into custody at MCAS Miramar and charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.
His bail has been set at $50,000. If convicted, he could get up to 10 years in prison and will have to register as a sex offender for life.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Serano has this warning to anyone who thinks it's okay to exploit children: "If you're in this district you're committing these types of federal offenses and we find you, and the evidence is there, we'll prosecute you."
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