Post Falls man charged federally with child sexual abuse

COEUR d’ALENE — A federal grand jury indicted a Post Falls man on multiple charges related to creating child sexual abuse material, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho.

Zachary D. Perpinan, 26, is charged with sexual exploitation of a child, distribution of child sexual abuse material and possession of child sexual abuse material. 

The charges stem from early October, when federal investigators reviewed postings made to a site on the “dark web” that law enforcement described as “dedicated to the sexual exploitation of children,” according to court records. 

A user of the website, later identified by police as Perpinan, allegedly uploaded more than 500 files depicting child sexual abuse to the website between early August and early October of this year, according to court records. Police said the image files appeared to depict the same 6-year-old child. 

Investigators used metadata in some of the images to home in on Perpinan’s residence in Post Falls and executed a federal search warrant on the home Oct. 10. 

When interviewed by police, Perinan allegedly confirmed that he was the user who had uploaded the child sexual abuse material to the web and “admitted in substance” to sexually abusing and photographing the 6-year-old child, according to court records. 

If convicted of the charges, Perpinan faces between 15 and 30 years in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a child, between five and 20 years for distribution of child sexual abuse material and up to 20 years for possession of child sexual abuse material. 

In a news release, U.S. Attorney Bart Davis commended the work of the Post Falls Police Department, as well as the Department of Homeland Security, which led to the charges. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual abuse, reach Safe Passage 24/7 by calling 208-664-9303 or texting 208-449-7228.