SAN FRANCISCO – Chad Andrew Carter, 44, (a.k.a. “TopRod”) was arrested by Homeland Security agents May 5 for possessing 3,077 image files and 469 video files containing child pornography, including images and videos of victims as young as three-to-five years old.
“Homeland Security Investigations agents, professional staff, and partner law enforcement agencies are continuing to pursue child predators online during the COVID-19 crisis. This is a particularly vulnerable time as more children are required to be online to accomplish remote learning. We urge parents and other caregivers to be vigilant and to provide as much supervision on online activity as possible,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge Tatum King.
According to United States Attorney David L. Anderson, a criminal complaint filed April 30, 2020, states Carter, of San Francisco, is alleged to have knowingly possessed child pornography. As detailed in the complaint, an individual using the handle “TopRod” was observed in a Zoom chat room displaying and streaming child pornography videos. Zoom is a videoconferencing and photo and video sharing platform. The user “TopRod” was traced to an IP address and email account in the defendant’s name.
On Jan. 4, 2018, HSI agents executed a search warrant on the defendant’s residence and seized various electronic devices storing the image and video files containing child pornography.
Carter appeared May 6, 2020, via teleconference before the Honorable Alex G. Tse, U.S. Magistrate Judge, and then again via teleconference on May 7, 2020, before the Honorable Susan van Keulen, U.S. Magistrate Judge. Carter’s next appearance is scheduled for May 27, 2020, at 10:30 a.m.
