Location: Porterville

Incident Date: July 2019/ August 6, 2019

Case Number: 19-08520

City: Porterville

Posted by: Media Relations

Tulare Man Busted for Touching a Child, Found with Child Porn Involving Kids as Young as Six

In July 2019, Detectives with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit followed up with information regarding alleged sex acts with a minor in the Porterville area. As a result of the investigation, Detectives identified 34-year-old William Epperly as the suspect and learned he had committed lewd and lascivious acts with a minor on several occasions. Detectives also served forensic search warrants associated with Epperly and found multiple images of child pornography involving children between the ages of 6-10 years old.

On August 6, 2019, with help from the Tulare Police Department, Epperly was found in Tulare and taken into custody. Detectives with the Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit responded and took over the investigation. Epperly was later arrested and booked at the Adult Pre-Trial Facility. He faces charges of Possession of Child Pornography and Lewd and Lascivious Acts with a Minor. 

This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Jose Nevarez or Sgt. Steve Sanchez with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at (559)733-6218. Anonymous information can be sent by text or email to TCSO@tipnow.com or call (559) 725-4194.