A Riverside monk linked to child pornography

A Laotian monk who allegedly collected child pornography at a Riverside monastery was charged today with possession of child porn and distribution of child porn.

Kounzong Saebphang, 26, was arrested Wednesday following an investigation by the Riverside County Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement — SAFE — Task Force.

“Based on the evidence in the case, it is alleged that Saebphang possessed child pornography on at least one digital device found at his residence at the monastery, and that he distributed child pornography to another person through a social media website,” according to a District Attorney’s Office statement.

Saebphang appeared before Superior Court Judge Richard Fields, who appointed him an attorney and scheduled his arraignment for Monday at the Riverside Hall of Justice. The judge also lowered the defendant’s bail from $30,000 to $10,000.

Saebphang is being held at the Robert Presley Jail in Riverside.

According to the District Attorney’s Office, SAFE investigators became aware of possible illicit activity by a member of the Wat Lao Buddhist Monastery last year after the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children tracked alleged file-sharing of kiddie porn.

SAFE team members solicited help from U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement officials and conducted further investigation, culminating in a search warrant being obtained, the D.A.’s office said.

Investigators seized items from the defendant’s living quarters and took him into custody without incident.