UC Berkeley executive held in child porn case
An executive in UC Berkeley finance department was arrested Thursday on suspicion of possessing child pornography after an investigation into a tip sent to child exploitation task forces, Berkeley police said.
Jon BainChekal, 49, was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor possession of child pornography, according to the Berkeley Police Department.
He was released from Berkeley’s jail later Thursday, as is protocol for misdemeanor offenses, said Officer Byron White, a Berkeley police spokesman.
Berkeley police said they started an investigation after the Internet Crimes Against Children and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a tip regarding an online account holder who possessed child pornography. It’s unclear when either organization received the tip, White said.
The online account was created and accessed from BainChekal’s Berkeley home and office, police said. Officials did not specify which website was used to create the account.
Police said they found an unspecified number of pornographic child images on the online account as well as on at least one laptop found while serving search warrants on his home and office.
“In an interview, BainChekal admitted to viewing and possessing child pornography,” police said.
His arrest was first reported by Berkeleyside.
UC Berkeley officials told The Chronicle that the university is “in the process of putting Jon BainChekal on administrative investigatory leave.”
BainChekal is listed on UC Berkeley’s website as being the executive director of the university’s financial planning and analysis. His team is responsible for managing the “budgetary resources of the Berkeley campus in support of instruction, research, and public service,” according to the university website.
“As this is an ongoing investigation, no additional information will be provided,” university officials said.
White confirmed that the investigation is ongoing.
Berkeley police coordinated with other agencies over the course of their investigation, including the Contra Costa County district attorney’s office, Contra Costa County Sheriff ’s Office, Concord Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations.