A 19-year-old man from Santa Maria has pleaded not guilty in Santa Barbara County Superior Court to possessing hundreds of items depicting child sexual abuse. 

Jesus Alejandro Bautista Lopez, 19, has been charged with one count of possessing child pornography, contending he had the items between December 2023 and July 2024. 

He also faces a special allegation, or sentencing enhancement, for possessing more than 600 images of child sexual abuse with at least 10 depicting a minor under the age of 12, according to the criminal complaint.

Last week, Santa Maria police detectives served a search warrant in the 1300 block of Marie Court and arrested Lopez, Lt. Daniel Rios said. 

The investigation began when X Corp. (formerly Twitter) submitted a report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding an incident involving the possession and transmission of child sexual abuse material using its service, according to Rios. 

Through investigative work, detectives determined the location, leading to the search warrant, Rios said. 

During the search, detectives reportedly found hundreds of child sexual abuse material files on Lopez’s electronic/personal devices, Rios said.

Police initially alleged that Lopez had engaged in sexual acts with his dog, but the criminal complaint doesn’t include any charges related to animals. 

Criminal complaints include charges supported by the evidence to prove the accusations beyond a reasonable doubt at the time the District Attorney’s Office files the paperwork. 

However, additional investigation that turns up further evidence after an arrest often leads to the filing of more charges on an amended criminal complaint in the future. 

His case will return to court in Lompoc Aug. 21 when the judge and attorneys may set a date for the preliminary hearing. 

He remains in the custody of the Northern Branch Jail.