SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Enrique Pearce, a prominent San Francisco political consultant who has worked on numerous high-profile campaigns, was bailed out of jail Friday and has been charged this afternoon with six felonies related to the possession and distribution of child pornography.
San Francisco Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman Kenya Briggs said Pearce, a 41-year-old San Francisco resident, was released from jail in lieu of $215,000, less than 24 hours after he was arrested.
Pearce was arrested at about 5 p.m. Thursday when San Francisco police served a search warrant at an address in the Tenderloin neighborhood, according to San Francisco police spokeswoman Officer Grace Gatpandan.
The warrant and search of the property was the culmination of a child pornography investigation.
Police located Pearce and arrested him on suspicion of five felony counts including possession and distribution of child pornography, possession of over 600 images of child pornography, possession of material involving sexual sadism or sexual masochism, as well as possession of stolen property.
Mayor Ed Lee’s office released a statement saying, “Mayor Lee is profoundly shocked. These are deeply disturbing and serious charges, and he trusts law enforcement to fully investigate and prosecute, if true. The Mayor has also directed his campaign to terminate all ties with Mr. Pearce and his firm, effective immediately.”
Gatpandan has not released what evidence lead them to Pearce, but assures the public he will not get any preferential treatment in the case.
“I am shocked and appalled by the serious charges today against Mr. Pearce,” said Supervisor Kim. “Words cannot express my disappointment.”
Pearce works as a political consultant for Left Coast Communications.
Left Coast Communications has worked on political campaigns for U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee and San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, as well as San Francisco supervisors Jane Kim and Norman Yee, among others.
Pearce established his own law office in 2007, Pearce Law Offices which handles employment, labor, and contract law, according to the law firm’s website. The law firm is located in the same office as Left Coast Communications.
According to Pearcelawoffices.com, “In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Pearce has worked in and around politics and government in San Francisco for the past decade. He has worked as a legislative aide to members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, and has been regularly hired as a political consultant on a number of campaigns including races for school board, judge, board of supervisors, city attorney, and mayor.”