BERKELEY FIREFIGHTER FACING CHILD PORN CHARGES

By Karli Bulnes, Bay City News Service

January 29, 2006

A Berkeley Fire Department firefighter is in custody at the Wayne Brown Correctional Facility in Nevada City, Calif. on misdemeanor charges of possessing child pornography.

Luis Ponce, 49, was arrested Thursday around 4:30 p.m. in Grass Valley, according to the Nevada County Sheriff's office, after being served a $60,000 arrest warrant.

Correctional Officer Justin Boxberger said Ponce was booked into jail on three counts of "possession of matter depicting a minor engaging in sexual conduct.''

Ponce's arrest was the result of an investigation that began when evidence of child pornography surfaced at the Berkeley fire station where he works.

The Berkeley Police Department contacted authorities at the Nevada County Sheriff's office to carry out the arrest at Ponce's home on Thursday.

A search of Ponce's home located on Rattlesnake Road in Grass Valley and a search of Ponce's locker at the fire station turned up physical evidence, according to the sheriff's office, but authorities are not saying exactly what was found.

When asked if he wanted to be booked in Nevada County or Alameda County, Ponce chose Nevada County. Nevertheless, the Nevada County Sheriff's office reported Ponce is expected to be transferred to Alameda County for arraignment.

Ponce is a 17-year veteran of the Fire Department, according to Deputy Fire Chief David Orth, and is currently on administrative leave from the department.

Orth said Ponce's return to the Fire Department is "at this point, all up in the air right now'' since "it's an active investigation.''

Copyright © 2006 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.

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