Opening statements delivered in DHS child porn ring case

Opening statements were delivered by the prosecution and defense Wednesday in the trial of a former Palm Springs school instructor accused of taking part in a sprawling child molestation and pornography ring.

John David Yoder, 43, of Desert Hot Springs, is named — along with Erick Alan Monsivais of Los Angeles, William Clyde Thompson of Las Vegas and Noland Anthony Harper of Richmond, Virginia — in a 59-count indictment alleging lewd acts on a child, human trafficking, sexual assault, conspiracy and other charges.

“The investigation reveled that horrible things happened in that small community of Desert Hot Springs during that time period, young boys between the ages of 10 and 15 were photographed naked, they were told to masturbate for money they were also involved in sexual activities with all four men,” said prosecuting attorney William Robinson.

“The evidence is quite clear David Yoder is not charged with touching any one one of the children that was molested by these other people, he was not present for any photograph taken of any of these children, he did not posses any photograph taken by these children,” said John Patrick Dolan, Yoder’s defense attorney.

Monsivais, 30, had been scheduled to go on trial with Yoder but was removed as a defendant last month, and a court date in his case was reset to March. A gag order prevents attorneys for the parties from discussing details of the case, but a source with knowledge of the case said Monsivais reached a plea deal with prosecutors that calls for him to testify against his co-defendants.

Until his arrest, Yoder was a licensed foster care provider and a special education assistant instructor for the Palm Springs Unified School District.

In court papers filed last month, Yoder’s lawyer, John Patrick Dolan, said prosecutors were also seeking to cut a plea deal that could result in Harper testifying against his co-defendants. According to the filing, prosecutors told defense attorneys they were considering calling a confidential jailhouse informant, who allegedly communicated with Yoder in a local lockup and has information about “solicitation of murder accusations.”

No charges have been filed against either defendant for solicitation of murder, and no other information about the allegations were disclosed. At the request of prosecutors, a judge has since ordered the filing be sealed from public view.

Yoder has been in custody in lieu of $750,000 bail and Monsivais in lieu of $1 million bail. Harper and Thompson are in federal custody and it is unclear when the pair will make their initial court appearances in Riverside County.

Prosecutors said there are at least 10 alleged known underage victims, though investigators suspect there may be more. The District Attorney’s Office filed felony sex-related charges against the men last February.

An arrest declaration filed by the District Attorney’s Office alleges Yoder was seen molesting a 12-year-old special-needs boy over whom he had been made guardian. Court papers allege the boy shared a bed with the defendant and was compelled to engage in sexually exploitative activity.

Prosecutors allege the defendants are prolific child pornographers and abusers. Court papers allege they operated a child porn ring that was in existence for at least three years.

Thompson was characterized as the alleged ringleader, making trips to the Coachella Valley from his Las Vegas home and allegedly connecting with Monsivais and Yoder to find prospects.

In a video played during Yoder’s preliminary hearing, an 11-year-old boy alleged he had posed shirtless and barefoot during modeling sessions arranged by the defendants in exchange for cash, cellphones and high-end scooters.

The defendants would gather at Yoder’s home and spend time at a local skate park, where they solicited children to pose for photographs and videos, according to investigators.