Sheriff's Detective Arrests Man for Child Pornography

Numerous Images Found on Suspect's Computer

Santa Barbara- March 23rd, 2010

A Santa Barbara County man is in jail, after a Sheriff’s Detective discovered numerous images of child pornography on the man’s computer.

On August 8, 2009 the detective was on duty during the Fiesta Parade on State Street in the city of Santa Barbara. The detective was assigned to watch for known 290 registrants as well as watch for suspicious people with cameras who might be hanging around children. The detective, who was working plain clothes, is specially trained in 290 registrant enforcement through a California State SAFE (Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement) 290 Grant.

While on duty, the detective was alerted that a man was inside a coffee house at State and De Le Guerra, possibly taking pictures of children. The detective found Rodney Dale Rognstad (DOB 7/17/59) sitting at a table on which he had propped a small camera next to a laptop computer. After observing Rognstad for thirty minutes the detective determined that he was indeed taking pictures of women and children as they walked by outside the store.

After interviewing Rognstad, the detective seized the computer which was booked into evidence. A subsequent forensic search of the hard drive revealed multiple photos that depicted children in sexual acts, which is a felony to possess.

On March 15, 2010, the detective obtained an arrest warrant for Rognstad who was last known to live on the beach near Summerland. On Friday, March 19, 2010 Rognstad was located at the Summerland Post Office where he was arrested without incident.

He was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail for Possession of Child Pornography (311.11 PC) on $250,000 bail. Rognstad is not a registered sex offender at this time. Although Rognstad is a transient, he was able to use power outlets at local coffee houses to charge his computer, cell phone and camera.

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