Federal child porn investigation turns up 13 guns and huge drugs haul in Potrero Hill
A man appeared in court today after a federal investigation into possession of child pornography resulted in the discovery of a 13-firearm arsenal and a haul of more than five kilograms of illegal narcotics.
Earlier this year, Homeland Security Investigations were notified of a report by Dropbox that child sexual abuse material has been uploaded to its service by a user whose putative address was in San Francisco. Special Agents from HIS began surveillance on a home in the Potrero Hill district where they were surprised to observe comings and goings from the house consistent with drugs being sold.
Investigators’ executed a search warrant at the Arkansas Street address in the small hours of July 24 2024. Their target, 55-year-old Ronald W Williams, was arrested and promptly admitted that “everything” in the home was his.
Officers found 3.79kg of methamphetamine, 1.26kg of cocaine, 100g of heroin and 17g of fentanyl.
Six rifles were recovered, including two described by police as “assault weapons” – a Smith & Wesson M&P15 and a Green+Black EP Armory AR15 – along with five pistols, a revolver and a shotgun. An initial examination of seized mobile devices revealed the presence of child pornography.
Prosecutors say that Williams’ previous convictions include assault with a firearm, firearm possession and sending harmful material to induce a minor.
He appeared briefly today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lisa Cisneros in San Francisco federal courthouse for a status hearing. He faces, for now, two counts: one of possession with intent to distribute Methamphetamine, and one of firearms possession by a felon. It seems probable that further charges might be preferred in future, not least with respect to the child pornography allegations.
Williams remains in custody ahead of his next appearance, for a further status hearing, on September 10.
The case continues.
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