Local News

Arrest Made in Chowchilla for Possession and Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material

CHOWCHILLA - The Madera County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Bureau received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding the distribution of child sexual abuse material activity in Madera County. Detectives identified 39-year-old Chowchilla resident Ralph Contreras Jr., a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation sergeant, as a suspect in the case.

On January 2, 2025, detectives, alongside the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations, executed a search warrant at a residence in the 11000 block of Muirfield Road in Chowchilla. Contreras Jr. was arrested for distributing and possessing child sexual abuse material and is now in custody at the Madera County Jail.

The Madera County Sheriff’s Office remains steadfast in its partnership with the ICAC Task Force and is dedicated to protecting children by holding internet predators accountable.

Sheriff Tyson Pogue states, “I commend the detectives in this case for their efforts to comprehensively investigate this matter regardless of the suspect’s professional status. This operation highlights the critical partnership across law enforcement agencies to combat child exploitation, pursue justice for victims, and vehemently protect the safety of children.“

All electronic devices associated with Contreras Jr. were seized for further examination as part of the ongoing investigation. The Madera County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information regarding this case or potential victims to please get in touch with Detectives at 559-675-7770.

Tips may also be emailed to MCSOTip@maderacountycom. Anonymous tips may be made through Valley Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP (7867), or by texting “Tip MaderaSO” followed by your message to 888777. Tips may also be made on the Madera County Sheriff’s Mobile App: MaderaSheriffApp.com.