Costa Mesa police seek victims of trio arrested for child pornography

Detectives are searching for possible victims of a 24-year-old Costa Mesa man who was arrested Friday on suspicion of possession and distribution of child pornography after material he distributed was seized as part of an investigation into two Lake Forest suspects.

Tanner Shallahamer was taken into custody by Costa Mesa police, who also obtained a search warrant for his vehicle and residence, according to a Costa Mesa police news release issued Monday.

His arrest is the third in an investigation into the distribution and possible resale of pornographic images and videos of minors on the Internet by adults.

One of those suspects is 30-year-old Jonathan Garduno of Lake Forest. He was arrested on Sept. 7 after a promised meeting with a 15-year-old girl in Costa Mesa led to a meeting with a special investigations investigator who posed as a minor online.

Garduno was arrested at the scene for attempting to meet a minor for the purpose of committing a sexual act, and his cellphone was seized as evidence, CMPD reported Sept. 14. He reportedly posted $20,000 bail the same day.

According to police, Garduno's cell phone accused his partner, Khyla Kauffeld (29), of Lake Forest, of similar crimes.

A search warrant was executed on the couple's residence and both individuals were arrested. Garduno was arrested on suspicion of possession of child pornography, mailing/selling child pornography and distribution of obscene material involving a minor. Kauffeld was arrested on suspicion of possession of child pornography. Both individuals posted $20,000 bail and were released, CMPD spokeswoman Roxi Fyad confirmed.

During their investigation, detectives also discovered pornographic videos and images of minors exchanged between Garduno and Shallahamer. Shallahamer also allegedly sent videos of himself stalking a woman in bed at her Costa Mesa residence, according to a police news release Monday.

“Investigators continue to investigate Shallahamer for possible stalking of other women and teenage girls and implicating another male individual by sharing identifying information with the intent to commit a sex crime,” the press release said.

Shallahamer was taken into custody on Friday. Despite being granted a bail increase from $20,000 to $250,000, Shallahamer paid bail on Saturday and was released.

Police believe the 24-year-old suspect may have stalked other female victims in and around Costa Mesa and Newport Beach and sent them nude photos of himself.

CMPD is asking the public for help in identifying additional possible victims and for more details on this case. Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Adam Gardner at (714) 754-4937.