| For Immediate Release
April 23, 2008 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
OCDA SEEKS ADDITIONAL VICTIMS IN
INVESTIGATION AFTER FINDING HUNDREDS OF IMAGES OF CHILD PORN IN POSSESION OF
SHERIFF’S DEPUTY WHO WAS FOUND DEAD
SANTA ANA – The Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) is seeking additional victims who may have been sexually assaulted by Gerald Stenger, 41, Aliso Viejo. On April 2, 2008, Stenger was on duty as an Orange County Sheriff’s (OCSD) deputy. He was found dead with a single gun shot wound to the head the same day he was charged with sexually assaulting a 12-year-old boy.
On April 2, 2008, the OCDA filed sexual assault charges against Stenger for molesting a 12-year-old boy for two years more than a decade ago after meeting the victim and his older brother through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County. Prior to his arrest that afternoon, Stenger, an on-duty deputy for the OCSD, was found dead in his unmarked Crown Victoria patrol car in an Aliso Viejo parking lot. Based on information that Stenger may be a suicide risk, the OCDA took precautions to protect Stenger’s safety by sealing all case related documents, but Stenger learned of the charges prior to the sealing by repeatedly searching an internal criminal charges database for his own name.
The OCDA is continuing to investigate this case and believes there may be additional victims, who may be eligible for counseling and additional victim services. Hundreds of images of child pornography, several of which appear to be homemade, were found in Stenger’s home. Stenger taught a “Tools for Tolerance” program for at-risk middle school students through a Neighborhood Enforcement Team and was involved with little league baseball.
Anyone with additional information or who believes they have been a victim is encouraged to contact Supervising District Attorney Investigator Craig Kelsey at (714) 347-8794.
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