First published in the Sept. 17 print issue of the Burbank Leader.
The Burbank Police Department arrested four individuals last week for suspected child-related sex crimes during “Operation Protect the Innocent.”
In a statement, the BPD said it is a partner in the Los Angeles Regional Internet Crimes Against Children (LA ICAC) Taskforce, which is composed of officers and investigators from local, state and federal law enforcement agencies that are dedicated to investigating, prosecuting and developing effective responses to internet crimes against children.
Between Sept. 5 and Sept. 9, Burbank Police investigators conducted five probation compliance checks on registered sex offenders in Burbank and conducted several undercover internet chat operations. The operation resulted in the arrest of four individuals: 37-year-old Paul Medina, a resident of Los Angeles, was arrested and booked for possession of child pornography by a registered sex offender. Daniel Berman, 21, a resident of North Hollywood, was arrested and booked for possession of child pornography. Michael Angulo, 31, a resident of Canoga Park, and 36-year-old Eduardo Pubill, a resident of Los Angeles, were both arrested and booked after they independently made contact and communicated with a person they thought to be a minor for lewd purposes. In both cases, these individuals were communicating, in real-time, with a Burbank Police detective. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is reviewing both those cases for filing consideration.
The Burbank Police Department takes sex crimes against children seriously.
Police Chief Michael Albanese stated, “Our ongoing partnership with the ICAC Taskforce has proven to be a benefit to the community. The Burbank Police Department will continue to investigate those looking to prey upon our children, hold them accountable for their crimes and monitor those sex offenders living in our city.”
Lt. Claudio Losacco, who oversaw this weeklong operation, said, “Parents need to be vigilant in monitoring their children’s internet and phone use. Always be aware and approve of whom they are meeting, both online and in person.”
The public is reminded that any suspected inappropriate contact with a minor or knowledge of child pornography on the internet should be immediately reported to local law enforcement agencies or to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at (800) 843-5678.
