On Tuesday, October 6, 2015, Campbell Police Officers were dispatched to San Jose Camera (1600 S. Winchester Blvd) on a report of possible possession of child pornography. Employees contacted the Police Department when they found what they believed to be child pornography on a secure digital (SD) memory card. They advised officers that a customer had brought in the SD card for assistance in retrieving photographs.
Upon their arrival, officers confirmed that the digital photographs were in fact child pornography. Frank Prendergast, 80 years old of San Jose, was contacted at the business when he returned to retrieve the SD card. He admitted to possessing the photographs and that he had other photographs at his home.
Campbell Police Detectives began following up on the information and conducted a search of Mr. Prendergast’s residence in San Jose. During the search, several computers were seized along with hundreds of VHS tapes and other media. Detectives are reviewing the evidence and working to determine how Mr. Prendergast came to possess the images.
Mr. Prendergast was arrested and booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail for possession of child pornography.
At this point in the investigation there is nothing to indicate that Mr. Prendergast is involved in the production of child pornography. However, the Campbell Police Department is asking anyone with information regarding this investigation to contact the Campbell Police Department Investigations Unit at (408) 947-7867.
