Child porn suspect charged

A former beauty pageant winner arrested last week on suspicion of child pornography could be sentenced to up to 14 years and eight months in prison if convicted, the Orange County district attorney’s office said.

Irvine resident Meghan Breanna Alt, 25, who was named Mrs. Orange County in 2014 and went on to compete in the Mrs. California Pageant, is charged with one felony count of possession and control of child pornography, three felony counts of a lewd act upon a child under 14 and a sentencing enhancement of substantial sexual conduct with a child.

In addition to the possible prison term, Alt would be required to register as a sex offender if she is found guilty, prosecutors said.

Investigators from a law enforcement task force took Alt into custody Wednesday in San Diego on allegations that she took sexually explicit photos of a 4-year-old female relative and used her cellphone to distribute the pictures in exchange for money and gifts. Prosecutors allege that one of the people Alt sent the photos to was a Marine stationed in Southern California.

Authorities began investigating after the Naval Criminal Investigative Service learned of the photos, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. Investigators also allege that Alt used online ads to find customers who paid her for sex.

She is being held at Orange County Jail, with bail set at $100,000. She is scheduled to be arraigned Oct. 30.

Alt volunteered with children at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in San Clemente and Irvine, prosecutors said.

Authorities are trying to determine if there are other victims. They ask that anyone with information about the case call the Sheriff ’s Department’s special victims unit at (714) 647-7418.