Bakersfield man arrested for contacting a minor and sending harmful material

PORTERVILLE, California – Detectives with the Porterville Police Department have arrested a man after an extensive investigation into allegations of contact with a minor and transmitting harmful material.

Police say 22-year-old Eladio Cordero Lara of Bakersfield sent illegal messages to a minor in Porterville.

A Tulare County Superior Court judge signed an arrest warrant for Lara on charges of contact with a minor for sexual purposes, transmitting harmful material and possession of child pornography.

Detectives from the Porterville Police Department, along with officers from the Bakersfield Police Department, served a search warrant at his Bakersfield home Monday morning, where he was taken into custody.

During the search, detectives collected several electronic devices from Lara’s home for further forensic analysis.

Lara is currently being held at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office South County Detention Facility on a $95,000 bond.

Porterville Police encourage anyone with information regarding this investigation to call them at (559) 782-7400.

Information can also be provided anonymously.