Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - A 16-year-old male from Rialto was identified as a suspect in a social media bomb threat targeting the West Covina Police Department.

The teen was arrested September 19, one month after the threat was reported.

Police did not provide details on the specifics of the threat.

The department has a message for parents and guardians:

“Due to several local incidents involving juveniles making threats via social media throughout Southern California, the West Covina Police Department is asking for parents and guardians to have discussions with their children explaining the consequences of making threats online. All threats are taken seriously and will be investigated thoroughly.”

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - A weeks-long investigation involving the West Covina Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Department of Homeland Security resulted in the arrest of a 39-year-old man accused of possessing hundreds of images of child porn.

Matthew Peter Mullen was arrested August 8. He was booked on suspicion of possessing child pornography and possession of obscene images of minors in a sexual manner, according to the West Covina Police Department.

A federal warrant was issued for Mullen’s arrest. Mullen was allegedly found in possession of more than 600 obscene images, according to the West Covina Police Department.

He was taken into custody at 9 a.m., August 8, according to Los Angeles County booking records.

Mullen has apparently performed work as a volunteer and local organizations.

His LinkedIn and Facebook profiles list extensive work in quality assurance for a variety of video game developers, most recently with Infinity Ward, Elodie Games and Disney Interactive.

“Due to Mullen’s volunteer efforts in local organizations, Investigators believe there may be additional victims. HSI Los Angeles and the West Covina Police Department are asking for assistance from the public,” according to the West Covina Police Department in a written statement.

Anyone with information on this investigation is urged to call West Covina Police Detective Iside at 626-939-8520 or contact the HSI TIP Line at 877-447-4847 and reference the Matthew Mullen investigation.

Mullen is scheduled to appear in West Covina Superior Court August 12.

********** The arrest record in this article is being redistributed by SGV CityWatch and is protected by constitutional, publishing and other legal rights. Arrest information is public record and was distributed by government sources. The person named in this article has only been arrested on suspicion of the crime(s) listed and is presumed innocent.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - There is apparently no evidence a hacker downloaded or exported any data after a breach of a student and staff portal was discovered February 10.

The hacker reportedly sent out a message Friday to users of the Clever learning portal in an attempt to entice registration with the Clever messaging platform. Those who clicked on the message apparently also saw a racial slur, according to West Covina Unified School District Superintendent of Schools Emy Flores.

“It is unfortunate and disgraceful that the hacker chose to use a derogatory and racist slur and we are deeply sorry that this happened,” Flores said in a written statement.

An investigation by Clever’s security and engineering teams determined there are no repercussions and vulnerabilities since the district uses ParentSquare, not the Clever messaging system, according to a district message.

Any changes made after 9 p.m. February 10 were reversed by the Clever engineering

The district will implement added security measures, such as multi-factor authentication.