Deputy L.A. city attorney pleads not guilty to child porn charges

A deputy Los Angeles city attorney pleaded not guilty Thursday to distributing and possessing child pornography, authorities said.
Christopher Richard Garcia, 57, faces two felony counts of child pornography-related charges stemming from his Sept. 4 arrest at his home in San Pedro.

If convicted, Garcia could be sentenced to as long as five years and eight months in prison.

Garcia, who had been under investigation since at least November, was arrested when authorities served a search warrant at his home and seized computers and other electronic evidence.

That’s when police said they found some “questionable images.”

A forensic search of his home computer revealed evidence of child exploitation, they added.

Garcia was been charged with sending or bringing obscene material into the state for sale and possession of material depicting minors engaged in sexual conduct.

He allegedly sent some of the material on April 2, 2013, and was found in possession of it that November, according to court records.

The California State Bar website lists Garcia as serving as an attorney for Los Angeles International Airport. Garcia previously worked with the U.S. attorney’s office and a joint electronic crimes task force.

Garcia has been on administrative leave.

His next court date is Oct. 21.

Times staff reporter Richard Winton contributed reporting.

For breaking news in Los Angeles and throughout California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA. She can be reached at veronica.rocha@latimes.com.