Local San Diego County Deputy Public Defender David D. Lamb faces federal charges for possession and distribution of child pornography. It is alleged he had possession of child pornography and attempted to distribute the material via a file sharing program. He was arrested per a warrant on May 25, and posted a $50,000 bond. The case is being transferred to San Diego. On Wednesday, June 15, he pleaded not guilty to the charges while appearing in court in Santa Ana.
During investigations, federal prosecutors came across an encrypted social media platform online allowing users to trade child photos and videos. Homeland Security agents in Toronto tipped federal investigators and led them to the IP address of Lamb’s personal computer in his Mission Hills home. Online chat room conversations between Lamb and others show he requested certain types of child pornography. Lamb went by the pseudonym “sdattorney.” According to the complaint, Lamb was attempting to swap files by swapping passwords. Lamb’s password is alleged to be “pedoporn.”
In the complaint, two exchanges are detailed between Lamb and other users describing that Lamb was seeking young rough and hardcore child pornography. Disturbingly, sdattorney wrote he wanted images of babies being abused sexually. Lamb had a conversation with another user, “Brofun” in which he inquired how to keep molestation of a child quiet. Agents seized and searched various electronic items including a USB drive that held 847 pictures and hundreds of explicit child pornography videos. Other items seized were a Sony device, a computer, and two more additional thumb drives – all filled with graphic content.
According to Public Defender Henry Coker, Lamb last worked at the San Diego County Public Defender’s Office in September 2015 – right around the time the investigation commenced. Lamb took a paid leave of absence, which he remains on today. During his career, which spanned nearly two decades, he worked in the juvenile division from 2004 to 2012. Lamb began as a line assistant and came up through the ranks to become the assistant supervisor for the juvenile division. In a statement, Coker expressed sadness regarding the allegations and hope in the criminal justice system. Previously in the news, Lamb defended Elizabeth Smart’s kidnapper, Brian David Mitchell, when he was on trial in San Diego.
Those who have worked with Lamb are shocked at the news of these allegations. Lamb was a great mentor to many law students who interned at the San Diego County Public Defender’s Office. Lamb was often the first face law students saw during an interview and again during orientation. He was well respected during his tenure at the Public Defender’s Office. Many law students who looked up to him are grief stricken and appalled. One of Lamb’s neighbors, who remains unidentified, stated he had no idea something of this nature would be happening in the upscale Mission Hills neighborhood.
Lamb’s previous cases could be called into question, but a county spokesperson has not commented whether there will be an internal investigation.
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