School worker is arrested on charges of child porn

A Madera County man was arrested at the school where he worked as a playground helper, accused of possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

According to authorities, the Madera County Sheriff ’s Office Investigations Division received two CyberTips from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding the suspected possession of CSAM in the county.

Detectives during the investigation identified Joshua Lee Hefner, 34, as the suspect in the case.

At the time of the investigation Hefner was employed by Madera Unified School District and assigned to Dixieland Elementary School as a parttime cafeteria playground assistant.

On Monday, May 18, detectives with the Madera County Sheriff ’s Office working in coordination with the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed a search warrant at a residence in the area of Avenue 18 ½ and Road 19 in Madera.

Officials said investigators during the search located electronic devices belonging to Hefner that contained CSAM. Detectives contacted Hefner at Dixieland Elementary School where he was taken into custody.

All electronic devices associated with Hefner were seized for further examination as part of the ongoing investigation.

Based on preliminary forensic analysis of the seized devices, authorities said, investigators have not at this time identified any Dixieland Elementary School students as victims.

The Madera County Sheriff ’s Office encourages anyone with information regarding this case or potential victims to contact Detective Eder Andrade at (559) 517-7997.

Tips may also be emailed to: MCSOTip@maderacounty.com.

Anonymous tips may be made through Valley Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP (7867), or by texting “Tip MaderaSO” followed by your message to 888777.

Tips may also be made on the Madera County Sheriff ’s Mobile App: MaderaSheriffApp.com