California Department of Justice Agents Arrest Orange County Man for Alleged Internet Sex Crimes

Trabuco Canyon Resident Contacted Young Girls in Six Different States via Internet

Thursday, January 13, 2000
Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

(SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA) – Agents from the Department of Justice (DOJ) arrested an Orange County man today who is accused of multiple crimes involving a number of young girls that he first contacted in chat rooms on the Internet. Department of Justice California Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Special Agents were assisted by the Orange County Sheriff's Office and the Orange County District Attorney's Office in today's arrest.

David Allan Fay, 41, of Trabuco Canyon in Orange County, allegedly contacted children in Internet chat rooms, sending them explicit photos and encouraging the children to call him on his employer's toll-free phone line. Fay was arrested at his home today and has been charged with multiple counts of lewd and lascivious acts with children and distributing material with the intent to arouse or seduce a minor. Bail was set at $500,000.

The investigation revealed Fay contacted the victims in teen oriented Internet "chat rooms" from his workplace during the workday, then after gaining their trust, communicated via email or by a toll-free phone number maintained by his employer. In addition, Fay sent sexually explicit photos of himself to some of the victims, and kept files on more than 20 young girls that he targeted after making contact with them. Girls between the ages of 13 to 16 in six different states have been identified as victims of the alleged crimes.

"It is critical for parents to be aware of and review what their children do on the Internet. It is a wonderful education and communication tool that can also be abused by those who prey on vulnerable children," said Attorney General Bill Lockyer.

Fay left his job last summer after his employer received complaints from parents about email and photographs Fay sent to their children. The company first notified local law enforcement, then the California DOJ. Special Agents with the CBI Sexual Predator Apprehension Team (SPAT) used computer and phone records in the investigation. Fay did not attempt to conceal his real identity. The investigation is continuing and additional charges may still be filed against Fay.

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