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News

Brother Of Las Vegas Shooter Arrested In L.A. On Child Porn Charges [Updated]

paddockbookingphoto.jpg
Paddock's booking photo. (Photo courtesy of LAPD)

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Bruce Paddock, a brother of Las Vegas mass shooter Stephen Paddock, was reportedly arrested on child pornography charges on Wednesday morning in North Hollywood. LAPD Officer Irma Mota confirmed to LAist that a man had been detained in the 5300 block of Laurel Canyon Boulevard in North Hollywood this morning, but she said the LAPD would not be able to confirm his identity until he has been booked. "The individual was arrested for possession of child pornography and exploitation of a child," Mota said.

NBC 4 and the L.A. Times both report that the individual in question was Bruce Paddock, according to sources familiar with the case.

Update [11 a.m.]: The LAPD confirmed that the LAPD Juvenile Division, Internet Crimes Against Children Unit and Investigators from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Child Exploitation Investigations Group (CEIG), and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested Bruce Paddock, 59, on Wednesday morning.

According to a press release, the investigation began after evidence was discovered inside a Sun Valley business where Paddock had been squatting. The evidence was discovered after Paddock's eviction. "At the time of the initial investigation Paddock was a transient and could not be located," the statement said, explaining that Paddock was later located at the Laurel Canyon Boulevard location. Detectives also released a photo of Paddock "in case there may be victims of unreported incidents" and are asking for the public’s assistance in locating them.

Paddock was charged with possessing more than 600 images of child pornography, and 19 counts of sexual exploitation of a child. He was booked at downtown's Metropolitan Detention Center and his bail has been set at $60,000.

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