Crime & Safety

Vigil at Home of Sierra Madre Man Convicted of Child Porn

The peaceful Wednesday night vigil will pay respect to the child porn victims found in Robert Matheson's laptop, according to the Sierra Madre Tattler. John Crawford, the Tattler's editor, is among the vigil's organizers.

Convicted child pornography user Robert Matheson's home will be the site of a candlelight vigil for victims Wednesday evening, according to a Sunday entry on the Sierra Madre Tattler blog. (Details are on the blog.)

The vigil is the latest development surrounding the 66-year-old Sierra Madre resident, a member of the city's chamber of commerce, who has been at the center of outraged discussion and buzz around the city since he pleaded guilty Tuesday in Canada to possessing and smuggling child porn.

Canadian authorities found thousands of images of young boys--some engaged in sex acts with other boys--on Matheson's laptop during a search in a Halifax airport in October. There was also video content as well as a variety of short stories of a similar nature, according to press reports.

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Matheson was sentenced to 108 days in jail in Canada and likely faces deportation once his sentence ends, according to authorities speaking to the Chronicle Herald, a Canadian newspaper.

The case has prompted the to launch an investigation into Matheson, who both the Pasadena Star-News and the Tattler report has maintained ties with several Sierra Madre politicians, including former mayor and councilman Joe Mosca. Matheson signed off on nomination papers for Mosca and also held a fundraiser for him at his home, according to the Star-News. (Patch is reaching out to Mosca for his reaction.)

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The police department is also as police investigate any potential related crimes. So far, none has come forward.

John Crawford, the editor of the Tattler, is among the chief organizers of Wednesday's vigil. "The boys whose pictures and videos Mr. Matheson was carrying in his computer that fateful day have paid a far higher price," he writes. He also writes that the police department has been notified and that he and fellow organizers also plan to tell Matheson's neighbors of the vigil.

U.S. Man, 66, Jailed for Having Child Porn on Laptop

A Few Additional Observations on the Matheson Matter

Patch will follow up on this story more this week. If you have information about Matheson's involvement in Sierra Madre politics or business or any information on possible crimes, please get in touch with us at redmond.carolipio@patch.com or patrickl@patch.com.


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