OAKLAND — A Concord man accused of possessing videos and images depicting child molestation has been freed after posting $250,000 bail, court records show.
Ruben Eric Calle, 54, was charged in federal court last week, in connection with a 2018 investigation. A sworn statement by an investigator accuses Calle of possessing videos depicting young children — including one of a man performing a lewd act on an infant — as well as a video depicting sex between a child and a dog.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, but because Calle was allegedly found with pornography depicting prepubescent children, he qualifies for an added 10-year penalty if convicted.
The conditions of Calle’s release on bail have been sealed by a court order, which almost always occurs in federal cases in the Northern District of California.
According to investigators, Calle’s Concord home was searched in 2018. He agreed to an interview with police, telling them he had “all kinds” of porn on his electronic devices, authorities said. He then declined to answer any questions until he spoke with a lawyer after when investigators told him they discovered recent downloads of child pornography, the criminal complaint alleges.
During the search, Calle’s wife confirmed to investigators that Calle was alone when some of the downloads took place, authorities said. All told, police seized 500 images of child pornography and 100 videos, the complaint says.
At the time of his arrest, Calle was employed as an electrician at a Bay Area News Group print facility in Concord.
The investigation started when an anti-child pornography task force in Contra Costa County received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which in turn had been tipped off by Microsoft, to a “peer-to-peer” download involving child porn, according to court records. Calle has waived his right to a speedy trial, and the case is still in its early stages.
