Man Had Over 150K Child Sexual Abuse Images: Long Beach Police

LONG BEACH, CA — A Long Beach resident who possessed over 150,000 images of child sexual abuse material was recently arrested on suspicion of several crimes, according to police.

Mircea Radu Tonoiu, 58, was arrested April 16 in Torrance and booked on suspicion of manufacturing child pornography, child pornography possession and lewd acts with a child, police said Friday, adding bail was set at $275,000.

Detectives launched the investigation that led to Tonoiu’s arrest after receiving a tip on April 13 about a potential child sexual abuse victim, according to police. Tonoiu had manufactured child sexual abuse material of a female victim and had about 157,000 images of child sexual abuse material, police said.

“The exploitation of a child is reprehensible, and this investigation demonstrates the magnitude and scope of the harm caused by these deplorable crimes,” Police Chief Wally Hebeish said in a news release. “The trauma inflicted by this suspect on a child is intolerable and I’d like to thank the detectives and agency partners who are holding him accountable.”

To report potential child sexual abuse and have harmful matter removed from the internet, visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s Take It Down service at takeitdown.ncmec.org. For information, safety tips and educational resources, visit Missingkids.org/NetSmartz.

Anonymous tips may be submitted through LA Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477, downloading the P3 Tips app or visiting LACrimestoppers.org.