Assistant U. S. Attorney Janet A. Cabral (619) 546-8715
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY - April 19, 2018
SAN DIEGO - David Weaks, a fifth grade teacher at Rosa Parks Elementary School in the San Diego Unified School District, was arrested and charged yesterday with distributing pornographic images of young girls, including a toddler.
Weaks made his initial appearance in federal court yesterday afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew G. Schopler. The government asked that Weaks be held without bond on grounds that he is a danger to the community and a flight risk. Judge Schopler scheduled a detention hearing for Tuesday April 24 at 2 p.m. to consider the matter.
Beginning in late March, Homeland Security Investigations agents were conducting an investigation of individuals suspected of making files of child pornography available for sharing on the Internet through the use of a peer-to-peer file sharing program. On April 4, 2018, agents connected to a computer with an internet protocol address associated with Weaks’ residence in San Diego. Agents were able to download two videos directly from the IP address, both of which showed young minor females engaging in sex acts with adult males.
Homeland Security agents, along with other law enforcement officers associated with the San Diego Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, searched Weaks’ home yesterday morning pursuant to a federal warrant and seized multiple computer and other digital items which were found to contain child pornography.
The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program is a national network representing over 4,500 federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies, all working to combat the sexual exploitation of children through the internet. Homeland Security Investigations, is a member of the Task Force.
DEFENDANTS Case Number 18mj1862
David Gordon Weaks Age: 59 San Diego, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Distribution of Images of Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct - Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2252(a)(2)
Maximum penalty: 20 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum of five years in prison; $250,000 fine
AGENCY
Homeland Security Investigations
Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force
*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
