Ripon Police announced that on Wednesday, March 5 they arrested a registered sex offender from Oakdale in possession of child pornography on a computer.

Just after 7 a.m., Ripon Police officer Mario Ysit stopped Aaron Michael Mendoza, 40, of Oakdale, driving a green 1993 Toyota pickup near the intersection of River Road and North Ripon Road. During the stop Mendoza was discovered to be a registered sex offender who was also on active parole.

Officer Ysit conducted a search contingent to Mendoza’s parole and discovered suspected child pornography in his possession. 

Ripon detectives obtained a search warrant for the suspect’s residence on 26 mile Road in Oakdale and additional evidence of child pornography was located. 

Mendoza is a registered sex offender for lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 years of age.

Mendoza was booked into the San Joaquin County jail for felony possession and distribution of obscene matter and a felony parole violation. 

Ripon detectives are currently working with allied law enforcement agencies including the Sacramento High Tech Crimes Task Force, and parole agents from the California Department of Corrections regarding this ongoing investigation.