Santa Barbara – It’s one of the oldest “Hollywood hustles”. A photographer puts himself out there as an expert in delivering “headshot” portraits of exactly the kind and quality that the talent scouts, agents, producers, and studios are looking for. It’s a lucrative business, even for those who have no particular skills or viable contacts within the entertainment industry, simply because there are legions of showbiz hopefuls willing to try anything to further their on-camera careers.
The sad truth, however, is that some of these “talent photographers” make a habit of preying upon attractive young females during a photo shoot by insisting that only the best nude photos will be of interest to directors, agents, et al. As they ply their photography skills with their female subjects—who are frequently below the age of consent—these men also ply the young women with sexual advances, even offering a sizeable “discount” on their services in return for sexual favors.
According to Santa Barbara Police Department Public Information Officer Sgt. Riley Harwood, Keith Alan Moore, a 29-year old photographer working in Santa Barbara, seems to have been engaged in just such nefarious activity. Pursuant to a report to law enforcement authorities, the SBPD Crimes Against Persons division conducted an investigation into the activities of Moore which “revealed that over the course of five months Moore engaged in multiple sex acts with a juvenile.”
Arrest and search warrants were served upon Moore at his residence on May 14th, whereupon he was taken into custody and transported to Santa Barbara County Jail where he was booked on charges of sodomy with a person under the age of 18 years, and oral copulation with a person under the age of 18 years, “both felonies,” Harwood indicated.
Harwood is suspected of having perpetrated his predatory ruse upon other female youth, and SBPD Detective Douglas Klug is asking anyone with any knowledge of Moore’s activities to contact him at (805)897-2346.
Photo: Courtesy Santa Barbara County Jail Booking
