Daycare employee recorded child porn videos, feds say

By Nate Gartrell

SANFRANCISCO>> A 26-yearold daycare employee was arrested and charged with recording and sending a sexually explicit video of a young girl he was supposed to be caring for, according to federal authorities.

Jace Wong, of Pleasanton, was charged in federal court with possessing child pornography, and authorities say they are still investigating whether additional victims exist. He was arrested at his place of employment, where authorities believe the video was recorded.

The 14-second video depicted a girl whose age was estimated at 4 to 6 years old while she was using the bathroom. An FBI agent who reviewed the video wrote in court records that the child “appeared to notice” she was being surreptitiously recorded. Another similar video appeared to have been recorded through a pane of glass, the agent wrote.

During conversations with an undercover officer, Wong allegedly expressed an intention to molest one of the girls, including a graphic description of his plans. In another texting conversation, Wong allegedly wrote that he was being more cautious lately and “would love to do spy cams with my future kids one day,” according to the complaint.

The conversations with the undercover officer occurred after Wong was identified as a member of a group for pedophiles to share child sexual abuse material on the chat application Kik, the complaint alleges.

Authorities used the GPS signal from Wong’s phone to locate him at the San Francisco daycare center where he worked, according to the complaint. When they searched his electronic devices, including a computer and cellphone, they allegedly found an album of videos believed to have been recorded at the center.

Prosecutors have avoided naming Wong’s employer out of concern it could reveal the victim’s identity, according to court records.

All told, authorities found 428 media files, “many of which contained videos and images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct,” FBI special agent Benjamin Burnheimer wrote in the complaint.

If convicted as charged, Wong faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. His first court appearance has been set for Thursday morning, and he remains in Santa Rita Jail on a no-bail hold in the meantime.

Authorities are are asking anyone with information about Wing to contact the FBI tip line at tips.fbi. gov or call 415-553-7400.