Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Page 3
Attorney Pleads No Contest in Child Pornography Case
By a MetNews Staff Writer
A La Canada attorney investigated as part of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement probe of hardcore child pornography on the Internet has entered a no contest plea to felony charges of possessing child pornography and an assault rifle.
Walter Loustari, 58, entered the plea before Los Angeles Superior Court Judge William Ryan on Friday, Deputy District Attorney Susan Schwartz of the Justice System Integrity Division said.
Schwartz said Loustari entered an “open” plea, meaning it was not part of a negotiated settlement, and remains free on bail until sentencing, which is scheduled for March 3.
The attorney faces a possible sentence ranging from probation to three years and eight months in state prison, Schwartz added.
Authorities said the investigation of Loustari began in October 2006 as part of ICE’s Operation Predator. He was charged in October 2009 following an investigation by ICE and the Glendale Police Department, which included execution of a search warrant at Loustari’s Glendale apartment, prosecutors said.
Loustari was arrested without incident at his law office on Oct. 30.
Copyright 2010, Metropolitan News Company