A former supervising attorney at a nonprofit organization that provides legal representation to foster children has been arraigned on criminal charges for allegedly possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material.
Authorities say 61-year-old Charles Aghoian of Camarillo knowingly distributed sexually explicit videos featuring kids in December 2020 and January 2021.
Then, in April of 2021, Aghoian had images of child sexual abuse material on his smartphone, including photos of youth under the age of 12, according to the United States Department of Justice.
During the time of the alleged crimes, Aghoian was a supervising attorney at the Children’s Law Center of California which has locations in Monterey Park, Lancaster, and Sacramento.
The Children’s Law Center of California provides legal representation for abused, neglected, or abandoned kids, who fall under the state’s juvenile dependency court. The DOJ says Aghoian voluntarily surrendered on Monday morning.
Aghoian has been charged with three counts of distribution of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.