Modesto man accused of sexually abusing 1-year-old niece held without bail
A Modesto man accused of producing child sexual abuse material involving his 1-year-old niece was ordered held without bail Thursday after prosecutors said he recorded videos depicting sexual acts involving the child and may have distributed the material online.
Antonio Joseph Mayorga, 27, pleaded not guilty during his arraignment Thursday afternoon in Stanislaus County Superior Court to multiple felony charges, including lewd acts with a child under 14 and child sexual abuse material-related offenses.
Mayorga was wearing an orange-and-beige Stanislaus County jail jumpsuit with shackles during the hearing.
Addressing the court, Deputy District Attorney Vita Palazuelos described the allegations as a “particularly disturbing case” and argued that Mayorga poses a danger to the community.
“The defendant was taking videos of him putting his penis on a 1-year-old little girl that was his niece,” Palazuelos told the court. She also alleged Mayorga took the child’s hand while she was sleeping and used it to touch his genitalia.
Palazuelos said the investigation began after the Modesto Police Department received cyber-tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, commonly known as NCMEC, involving suspected child sexual abuse material.
“Essentially, they received a tip that there was live production of CSAM,” Palazuelos said, adding that investigators believe Mayorga may have been producing and potentially sharing the material online.
Palazuelos also said Mayorga admitted to molesting the 1-year-old child and another child who was 9 years old. She said investigators are continuing to analyze electronic devices to determine whether additional victims exist.
“So at this point, your honor, for the safety of the community, we would be asking to keep the $1 million bail or set bail at no bail,” Palazuelos said.
Judge David Hood ultimately ordered Mayorga held without bail and scheduled a bail review hearing for May 26 at 8:30 a.m. before Judge Ruben Villalobos in Department 2.
As prosecutors outlined the allegations, one person seated in the courtroom gallery appeared visibly shaken.
Prosecutors: Investigation ongoing
Outside the courtroom, Palazuelos said the investigation remains ongoing and authorities are still working to determine whether there are additional victims.
“It’s still an ongoing investigation,” Palazuelos said. “We’re hoping that there’s no further victims.”
According to a probable-cause affidavit filed in the case, investigators linked multiple Google accounts allegedly associated with Mayorga to cyber tips submitted to NCMEC. Detectives wrote that some of the material reviewed during the investigation allegedly depicted the sexual abuse of young children.
The affidavit states detectives believe additional forensic analysis of seized electronic devices is ongoing.
Palazuelos also referenced an out-of-county sexual battery warrant involving Mayorga while discussing concerns about public safety.
“Clearly he’s a danger to the community and I’m happy that Judge Hood set bail at no bail,” Palazuelos said. “However, he does have a warrant out of another county for sexual battery.”
The probable-cause affidavit states the sexual battery misdemeanor warrant for Mayorga’s arrest is out of San Ramon in Contra Costa County.
Palazuelas praised Modesto police investigators for their involvement in the case. “MPD did an excellent job following up on that cyber tip,” she said.
Court records show Mayorga is charged with three counts of lewd acts with a child under 14, along with felony counts related to possession and production of child sexual abuse material.
Deputy Public Defender Neil Zientek entered pleas of not guilty on behalf of Mayorga and requested a bail review hearing. After the hearing, Zientek could not immediately be reached for comment.
This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 4:58 PM with the headline "Modesto man accused of sexually abusing 1-year-old niece held without bail."
