The jury trial of a Sylmar man arrested in the Santa Clarita Valley for allegedly distributing child pornography enters its second week Tuesday when testimony is expected to resume.
Elias Rojas-Diaz, 46, was arrested July 31, 2015 by Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station patrol deputies in cooperation with two specialized law enforcement teams investigating computer sex crimes.
The felony complaint filed by prosecutors alleges Rojas-Diaz sent or brought obscene material into the state on March 4, 2013.
It also alleges he possessed matter on Oct. 23, 2013, which depicted a minor engaging in sexual conduct.
Rojas-Diaz was ordered to stand trial a year ago but, after that, questions emerged about his mental state which delayed the trial.
On Nov. 14, Rojas-Diaz was ordered to appear at a mental competency hearing in December.
Despite the concerns over his mental state, however, Rojas-Diaz found himself back on track to be tried by a jury and, on Apr. 11, appeared in Department 127 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center in downtown Los Angeles where jury selection got underway.
Since then, opening statements and evidence have been presented.
Rojas-Diaz is scheduled to appear in court again Tuesday, Shiara Davila-Morales, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said Monday.
Prosecutors who filed the felony complaint against Rojs-Diaz in July 2015 alleged he sent or brought obscene material into the state on March 4, 2013.
They also allege he possessed child pornography, knowing “that the matter depicted a person under the age of 18 years, personally engaging in and simulating sexual conduct.”
Rojas-Diaz had pleaded not guilty in September to the charges filed against him, DA spokesman Ricardo Santiago said at the time.
661-287-5527
on Twitter @jamesarthurholt
