Watch CBS News

LAPD Trace Leads To Arrest Of Gay Rights Activist On Child Porn Charges

(WARNING: Please be advised this article contains extremely disturbing content.)

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — A tip from Los Angeles Police Department investigators has lead to the arrest of a gay rights icon in San Francisco on felony charges of possession of child pornography.

Larry Brinkin, 66, was arrested last Friday after the LAPD obtained an email exchange from Internet service provider America Online between a customer in Los Angeles and zack3737@aol.com, according to a search warrant obtained by San Francisco Weekly.

The LAPD — which itself is celebrating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Heritage Month on its official website — then forwarded the case to San Francisco police detectives.

That email address was later linked to an IP address owned and paid for with Brinkin's credit card, the Weekly reported.

At least two email messages were released allegedly from zack3737@aol.com that included commentary on graphic images of interracial sex between an adult and a child believed to be between one and two years of age, according to the search warrant.

The user who authorities allege is Brinkin made comments on the images, including "I loved especially the n----- 2 year old getting nailed. Hope you'll continue so I can see what the little blond bitch is going to get."

Brinkin, who retired in 2010 from his post on the Human Rights Commission, is a celebrated activist for gay rights in San Francisco and was honored by the county Board of Supervisors, who named the first week in February "Larry Brinkin Week", according to the Weekly.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.