People v. Zuccolillo CA3

I. BACKGROUND

Sheriff’s detective (now Sergeant) Jason Miller was a member of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, which investigates and prosecutes crimes involving the online sexual exploitation of children. Miller met A. Halgren at the sheriff’s office on February 24, 2020. Halgren gave Miller two cell phones. He also gave Miller permission to search the phones. Miller examined the phones and found text messages to defendant from someone named “Mai.” “Mai” described herself as a 32-year-old Chinese gymnast, living in

1 Undesignated statutory references are to the Penal Code.

2 Sacramento. “Mai” and defendant exchanged text messages and photographs over several days. During the course of these communications, “Mai” told defendant she had a younger sister, “Kai.” “Mai” introduced “Kai” to defendant by text. A. Defendant’s Communications with “Kai” Defendant received an initial text message from “Kai” on February 11, 2020. An exchange of messages ensued. The tone of the messages became increasingly suggestive, and soon covered such topics as defendant’s vasectomy, “Kai’s” virginity, and the possibility of the two having sex. Defendant and “Kai” also…