MADERA COUNTY – A convicted sex offender out on parole is back behind bars this morning, accused of possessing and manufacturing child pornography, even with a monitor strapped to his ankle.
Frank Charles Reddell, 38, of Madera, was captured after a lengthy investigation involving several agencies, and is being held without bail.While electronic monitors are designed to capture a parolee’s every move, it’s up to parole agents to be vigilant as to what those who wear the monitors are up to.
One day after Christmas, 2012, Reddell was seen sitting in his car viewing images on his laptop while parked outside a Starbucks in Madera. He was reportedly in plain view of patrons, including his parole agent, who was keeping tabs on him.
According to reports, when parole agent John Hagler walked up to the car, he could see sexually explicit images of children on the suspect’s computer screen.
Hagler confronted Reddell and attempted to take the computer, but Reddell resisted, and tried to put his car into gear to take off. Hagler jumped into the car to keep Reddell from fleeing, and was physically attacked by the suspect.
Madera police arrived on the scene to assist, took Reddell into custody, and booked him into Madera County Department of Corrections on suspicion of battery on a peace officer, resisting arrest, obstruction and parole violation.
Parole agents seized the computer, a search warrant was issued, and Madera Police contacted Lt. Tyson Pogue to investigate. Pogue is a Madera County Sheriff’s Office representative with the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC).
During the course of that investigation, Lt. Pogue discovered thousands of sexually explicit images of children on Reddell’s computer, and equally disturbing images on the suspect’s cell phone. Authorities believe that Reddell himself captured those explicit phone images of children.
Reddell, who works as a heavy equipment operator for Caltrans out of Fresno, was also moonlighting as a handyman, doing repair work at homes in Madera.
Using advance forensic techniques, investigators were able to extract information from the photographs, leading authorities to places where he had been hired to do work as a handyman.
Reddell is currently listed on California’s Megan’s Law website as a registered sex offender, convicted in 2004 of “Lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 years of age.”
Based on evidence gathered by authorities so far, it is believed there may be more victims.
Sheriff John Anderson says this case was the result of a joint investigation with Homeland Security, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Parole, Madera Police, Madera County Sheriff’s Office, and Central California ICAC.
Anyone with information to call Detective Brent Cederquist with the Madera Police Department 559-675-4244.
Central California Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), is comprised of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies spread throughout nine counties located in Central California. The Central California ICAC Task Force is dedicated to protecting children online and investigating crimes committed against children which are facilitated by the Internet and computer usage.
