An Oakhurst man was arrested for possession of child sexual abuse material, and authorities said it appears he recorded guests at his short-term rental without their knowledge.
Christian Parmelee Edwards, 44, was taken into custody March 19 at his home at 50730 Granite Butte Way, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. The property, part of which Edwards rented as a vacation home, is a short drive from Yosemite National Park. Oakhurst National Park has dozens of short-term rental homes promoted to visitors.
After receiving a tip last month from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, investigators found more than 4,000 digital files containing child sexual abuse material, including explicit images of children ages 5 to 15, said Kate Wortman, public information officer for the Madera County Sheriff’s Office.
Detectives then executed a search warrant on the home and seized 30 electronic devices, including cameras, tablets and cellphones, he said. Wortman said he found evidence that showed Edwards was recording guests at his short-term rentals without their knowledge, and filming them through cracks in the windows using his cellphone.
Edwards was booked into the Madera County Jail, where he is being held on $75,000 bond, according to jail records. Court documents state he is charged with a felony charge of possession of child sexual abuse material, with a specific allegation that it included 10 or more images.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Edwards could be charged with additional crimes, including invasion of privacy, as the investigation continues. A message sent to his lawyers was not immediately returned.
Authorities released a photo of Edwards’ home to alert potential victims who may have lived there, and said anyone with information should contact the sheriff’s office.
