2 Men Will Stand Trial in Child Porn Case

A former Huntington Beach Boy Scout leader and a Santa Ana man face trial on felony charges of conspiring to produce and distribute child pornography, and an ex-priest is believed to have fled to escape prosecution in the case.

David Negrette, 26, now of Westminster, and Jerry Houchens, 49, of Santa Ana, were ordered to stand trial after a preliminary hearing Monday before Municipal Judge Karl Jaeger.

A Baja California man testified at the hearing that Houchens in July, 1987, rented an apartment in Ensenada, Mexico, where child pornography allegedly was produced. The man said he often saw boys 9 to 13 years old entering and leaving the apartment.

Los Angeles Police Detective Bill Dworin testified about films of boys engaged in sex with each other and with men. The films were found during a search of Negrette’s mobile home.

According to search-warrant affidavits filed by Dworin, Negrette and former Roman Catholic priest John Bauer appeared with boys in the movies. Master copies of the films were found in the home of Bauer, 52, who is believed to have fled to Asia.

Police are also searching for a fourth suspect, Victor Felciano, 29, of Rosemead, who is suspected of participating in the production and distribution of child-pornography films.

Negrette, who works at McDonnell Douglas Corp. in Huntington Beach, was an assistant scoutmaster in Boy Scout Troop 274 in Huntington Beach until leaving a year ago after unspecified allegations of misconduct.

Houchens, a copy-machine repairman, is being held in Los Angeles County Jail on $200,000 bail. Negrette is being held on $150,000 bail.