A 45-year-old Calimesa man who used hidden cameras to record images of a child in compromising positions pleaded guilty Thursday to possession of child pornography and was immediately sentenced to 16 months in state prison.
Robert Anthony Salas was arrested last year following an investigation by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
Salas admitted the child pornography charge under a plea agreement with the District Attorney’s Office. In exchange for his admission, prosecutors dropped two misdemeanor counts of using a concealed electronic device to invade privacy.
Superior Court Judge Timothy Hollenhorst imposed the sentence stipulated by the prosecution and defense, and in addition to the prison term, ordered Salas to register as a sex offender for life under Penal Code Section 290, as one of the terms of his parole.
According to investigators, Salas planted the cameras at a residence — the location was not specified — and recorded images of the minor, whose name was not released.
The cameras were uncovered, and in the ensuing investigation, detectives identified Salas as the alleged perpetrator.
During a search of his home, detectives found images of the child and other explicit material, according to prosecutors. Salas was arrested without incident and later released on a $10,000 bond.
Salas had no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.