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Woman Arrested In San Fernando Child Porn, Molestation Case

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A woman sought in an 11-year-old Southern California child pornography and molestation case has been taken into custody, authorities confirmed Friday.

Letha Mae Montemayor, 52, who is one of two people wanted in the case, was arrested at 7:30 p.m. Thursday outside of a North Hills apartment complex by Homeland Security agents and Los Angeles Police Department officers.

Thursday's arrest came less than 10 hours after federal investigators asked for the public's help to identifying the two suspects.

Montemayor getting arrested
(credit: ICE.gov)

"Just after ICE's nationwide plea for public assistance, five separate community tips led to the arrest of Jane Doe," said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director John Morton.

Montemayor and an unidentified man were wanted by Homeland Security after special agents discovered a series of pornographic images in 2007.

The images "depict a male and female adult sexually molesting a girl who looks to be about 13 years old at the time," officials said in a statement.

Authorities believe the photos were taken approximately 11 years ago in the San Fernando Valley.

child porn couple
Federal investigators believe two individuals – known only as "John Doe" and "Jane Doe" – may have produced child pornography about 11 years ago in the San Fernando Valley. (credit: ICE.gov)

The whereabouts of the unidentified male suspect are still unknown.

While John Doe's face has been covered in the photograph, authorities say he is a white male with a medium to heavy build. Officials believe he was between 40 to 50 years old when the picture was taken. He also has two distinctive moles on the center of his chest.

Montemayor has been charged in a federal criminal complaint with one count of production of child pornography. She could be court sometime Friday afternoon or as late as Monday.

If convicted, Montemayor faces a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison.

The announcement of the case against John Doe and Montemayor was made in connection with HSI's Operation Sunflower, a recently concluded enforcement action aimed at rescuing victims and targeting individuals who own, trade and produce child pornography.

Anyone with information about the identity of John Doe should call 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or visit www.ICE.gov/tips. Tips may be reported anonymously.

RELATED STORY: Unidentified Man And Woman Sought In Molestation, Child Porn Case

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