Mckinleyville man booked for possession of child pornography

Brandon Markus Allen Sampanes posted bail a few hours after being booked. Arraignment is on 6/8. Sampanes is charged with one count, PC 311.11 (a) possession of child pornography.

Complaint:

HCSO Press Release:

In late March of this year, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Division received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding a subject in the Humboldt County area suspected of possessing more than 50 images depicting child pornography.  

Through a lengthy investigation, the suspect was identified as Brandon Markus Allen Sampanes, age 31, of McKinleyville.  During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Sampanes was in possession of additional images and videos depicting child pornography.

On May 11, 2023, at about 7:00 a.m., Investigators with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Division served a Search Warrant and Arrest Warrant at a residence in the 1100 block of Killdeer Rd. in McKinleyville.  Sampanes was arrested without incident.  Based upon statements and evidence located during service of the Search Warrant, Investigators confirmed that Sampanes was the person in possession of the child pornography.

Sampanes was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on felony charges of Possession of Child Pornography (PC 311.11(c)(1)).  The case is being submitted to the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

6/8:  Sampanes was arraigned on one count of PC 311.11 (a). Conflict Counsel's office was appointed. Preliminary hearing is on 8/2.

8/2: Defense request to continue preliminary hearing granted. Setting of preliminary hearing on 9/13.

9/13: Prelim scheduled for 10/26.

10/26: Preliminary hearing continued by defense to 1/9/24.

1/9/24: Sampanes and People waived preliminary hearing. Held to answer. Arraignment on information scheduled for 1/23.

1/23: Trial confirmation scheduled for 3/20. Defense requested early date for that hearing. Jury trial on 5/20.

3/20: Trial confirmation continued to 5/8; jury trial on 5/20.

5/8: Trial confirmed but defense requests intervention. Trial assignment on 5/17; jury trial on 5/20.

5/16: Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timm and Deputy Conflict Counsel Zach Curtis had intervention with Judge Lawrence Killoran. No resolution.