A 38-year-old Castro Valley man was arrested in Danville after police say he approached young people and intentionally dropped lewd photographs of himself in front of them, part of a pattern investigators have been tracking since January 2025. Officers booked James Maldonado into county jail on suspicion of misdemeanor child molestation and felony distribution of harmful materials, but he was released from Martinez Detention Facility the following morning, and as of this week no formal charges had been filed.
The arrest occurred on September 11, nine days before the September 20 publication, when Danville police officers connected the suspect to past cases, according to the Danville San Ramon. The break came when a 16-year-old girl called police to report that she recognized a man on Railroad Avenue whom she believed was responsible for a previous incident. Officers responded to the call, located a man matching the description, and took him into custody. Local reporting has since identified him as James Maldonado of Castro Valley.
Danville police have connected Maldonado to multiple previous reports since his arrest and believe he is tied to several similar incidents the department has investigated in town since January 2025. Officers booked him on suspicion of violating California Penal Code Section 647.6, for annoying or molesting a child under 18, and Section 288.2, for distributing harmful material to a minor, according to Contra Costa News.
How the Law Treats Dropping Photos Near Kids
Under Section 647.6, actual physical contact isn't required to establish child molestation or annoyance. Sexually motivated actions or gestures directed at a minor that would offend or disturb a reasonable person are enough to violate the statute, according to the Shouse Law Group, and a conviction can carry up to a year in jail along with mandatory sex offender registration. Section 288.2, meanwhile, is the alleged felony offense, per the same source's report and coverage from Eisner Gorin LLP.
Those distinctions matter now because the case sits in a procedural gray zone. Ted Asregadoo, public information officer at the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office, said the office had not received the case for review or a filing decision as of Friday, and confirmed the arrestee had not been officially charged with any crime. The district attorney's office holds centralized jurisdiction over reviewing police arrest reports and deciding whether to file formal charges across Contra Costa municipalities, according to the Antioch Herald.
Police Still Seeking Information From the Public
Danville police investigators are continuing to work on identifying the culprit behind the broader pattern of reports and have asked the public to come forward with additional information. The department is requesting contact from anyone who experienced similar behavior or has relevant information, and can be reached at 925-314-3700. As of publication, the Danville San Ramon reported it had not received a response from the Danville Police Department regarding what evidence connects the suspect to the earlier cases.
The Danville Police Department operates through a contract agency arrangement with the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office, which supplies sworn deputies and leadership to the town under a formal service agreement, according to the Contra Costa Herald. Thomas Rossberg succeeded Allan Shields as chief, and the department has 42 employees.
Part of a Broader Push Against Child Exploitation
A Walnut Creek child-exploitation sting resulted in five arrests targeting people seeking to meet minors for illegal sexual acts. Other recent cases have involved explicit material sent to teens. Convictions involving former teacher Nicholas Moseby and explicit content sent to teens have also been reported.
A string of reports involving young people over more than a year has drawn sustained police attention and public concern in the town. For now, whether the district attorney's office will file formal charges remains an open question.
