FBI arrests Paso Robles man on federal child pornography charges
A Paso Robles man was arrested on Wednesday on federal child pornography possession and distribution charges, according to the Central District of California U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Stephen Mullen, 38, allegedly sent child porn videos to others online and knowingly kept pornographic images on his electronic devices in San Luis Obispo County between Oct. 7 and Dec. 19, 2018, according to a federal grand jury indictment filed in October.
Mullen — who also went by “moleone5680” — allegedly used the instant messaging app Kik Messenger to send a video depicting an adult man sexually assaulting an infant-aged girl.
He also allegedly had pornographic images of a prepubescent minor and a minor under 12 on his laptop and external hard drive.
All of the images and videos Mullen sent or kept on his devices were allegedly distributed “using means and facility of interstate and foreign commerce” with the knowledge they contained child pornography, according to the indictment.
Mullen was arrested by FBI agents on Wednesday and was arraigned in federal court in Los Angeles, where he pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him, said Ciaran McEvoy, public affairs officer for the Central District of California U.S. Attorney’s Office.
He was released from custody after posting a $20,000 bail, McEvoy said. Mullen’s trial will begin on Jan. 28.
This story was originally published December 5, 2019 at 5:42 PM.
