April 4, 2026 โ Turlock Police Department officials report an update on an earlier arrest of a Modesto youth soccer coach from Turlock for child pornography possession and distribution.
This case started with a cybertip and ended with an arrest, charges, and a prison sentence.
Led by Detective Giovacchini, with support from our detectives, this investigation uncovered more than 600 files of child sexual abuse material and evidence that the suspect was actively contacting and exploiting minors online.
This is the reality of whatโs happening behind screens.
Related: Modesto Youth Soccer Coach from Turlock Arrested for Child Pornography Possession & Distribution
Weโll continue to investigate, hold offenders accountable, and work to protect children in our community. ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐, ๐๐๐ฎ๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ผ๐น๐๐ฒ๐ฑ. ๐๐ป๐ผ๐ ๐๐ต๐ผ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ธ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐น๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ผ. ๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ต๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ผ๐ป๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ ๐ป๐ผ๐ ๐ฎ๐น๐๐ฎ๐๐ ๐ต๐ฎ๐ฟ๐บ๐น๐ฒ๐๐.
Statement from the Stanislaus County District Attorney:
District Attorney Jeff Laugero announced that Matthew Paez, age 33 of Turlock, was convicted by plea of possessing 
over 600 images of child sexual assault material (CSAM), contacting a minor with the intent to engage in sex acts, distributing sexual images of himself to a minor, along with other related charges. Paez was sentenced to prison for 5 years and 8 months and will have to register as a sex offender upon release.
In June of 2025, the Turlock Police Department (TPD) received a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding CSAM images being uploaded to electronic devices located in Turlock. TPD started an investigation and determined the CSAM images were uploaded to devices belonging to Paez.
Subsequently, TPD detectives obtained a warrant to seize digital devices used by Paez and located over 600 CSAM images. Paez admitted that he had a problem with looking at CSAM and admitted possessing the images. A further review of Paezโs digital devices showed that he was using social media platforms to contact children under the age of 14 to solicit sex acts and send them sexual images. The investigation also revealed that Paez was employed as a youth soccer coach in Modesto.
The Turlock Police Department investigated these crimes and apprehended Paez. Deputy District Attorney Sara Sousa prosecuted this case on behalf of the People.
The use of social media by child predators to contact and groom victims has significantly increased in recent years. Parents are encouraged to educate themselves and their children about this online danger. Resources can be found at National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
Source: Turlock Police Department
