(Los Angeles, CA) Robert Quido Stella, a resident of Canyon Country and a former Navy SEAL, has been found guilty by a federal jury of producing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). He surreptitiously filmed nude minor victims in a residential setting using hidden cameras.
Stella was found guilty of three counts of producing child pornography, and each of those charges comes with a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in federal prison.
According to court documents, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) received a tip two years ago regarding Stella’s involvement with a dark web child pornography website.
On July 15, 2021, during the investigation, agents discovered collections of CSAM on Stella’s computer and two external hard drives. Stella had deliberately hidden some of the collections within digital folders bearing misleading titles like “federal contracts” and “tax returns.” Additionally, HSI agents found hidden cameras placed by Stella, including one disguised as a USB charging block. Evidence presented at the trial revealed that Stella used this hidden camera to film his minor victims while they undressed for showering or bathroom use.
Further investigation by HSI revealed approximately 17 videos and over 100 screenshots of naked or partially undressed minor victims. Stella stored these images in various digital folders on a hard drive labeled with misleading names such as “course work.”
On July 27, 2021, Stella was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of producing child pornography, and one account of accessing child pornography with the intention of viewing it (for logging onto the dark web site), and two counts of possession of child pornography. Stella admitted to intentionally accessing child pornography and possessing two counts of child pornography. Each charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison and a maximum sentence of 20 years.
Following a four-day trial, the federal jury convicted Stella on the three counts of production of child pornography. United States District Judge George H. Wu has scheduled a sentencing hearing for all six counts on August 24.
Stella has been in custody since being arrested, and HSI conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant United States Attorneys Catharine A. Richmond and Lyndsi C. Allsop of the Violent and Organized Crime Section are prosecuting the case.
This case highlights the horrifying situation of child pornography and the importance of vigilance.
Victims of sexual abuse should feel safe and supported when sharing their experiences. Contact the Women’s Rights Group in California if you or someone you know needs help due to sexual assault or trafficking. Support is available, and you are not alone.
