Investigation results in arrest of suspect charged with possession of child pornography

On Tuesday, February 23, at about 5:30 p.m., a Kings County Sheriff's Deputy was contacted regarding what appeared to be an illegal video recording investigation at a residence on Hanford’s Coast Avenue.

The home’s residents told the deputy that a male suspect, identified as suspect 59-year-old Gary Canalez, used a cellular phone to take videos of the home’s residents while they used the restroom. A family member told the deputy that he located a cell phone hidden behind the toilet, and he also noticed that the phone was set to record.

The reporting party looked through the videos on the cell phone and learned that the suspect, Canalez, had recorded the reporting party using the restroom and another resident, 65, using the restroom.

Canalez did not have permission to record these individuals.

The suspect lived with an elderly couple. After learning that the suspect had been video recording them, the elderly couple stayed elsewhere for a short time in fear of what the suspect’s response would be after law enforcement was notified.

The case was turned over to the Kings County Detective Unit for further investigation.

During the investigation, the reporting party told detectives that he found another phone utilized by Canalez. The reporting party looked through the videos on this phone and found videos of a minor. Deputies determined that the new videos were determined to be taken about a year ago.

On March 1, at approximately 3:30 p.m., detectives located Canalez at America's Best Value Inn, located on East Lacey Boulevard, Hanford. Canalez was taken into custody without incident.

Investigators booked Canalez into the Kings County Jail on multiple charges, including the possession of child pornography, elder abuse, and invasion of privacy. Canalez's bail was set at $95,000.00.

Anyone with additional information about this investigation is asked to please contact Detective Joshua Hunt at (559) 852-2807.