Photographer Wanted in Child Molestation NR14031pv

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles detectives are asking the public’s help in finding 53-year-old Gilardo Vadillo Nunez for molesting young girls during photography sessions, usually performed at Brand Park.  Nunez drives a recognizable yellow Humvee with license 5CUK746.

“It’s sad and maddening that this man used the victim’s quinceañera as a way to find his victims” said Lt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer of the Mission Detective Division.  “Nunez’s own video, taken inside the Humvee is our best evidence in one case.”

Detectives have identified four victims, all under the age of 15, whose families contracted Hollywood Photos and Video to photograph their daughters’ quinceañeras.  Nunez would video himself touching the victims as the girls posed in his Humvee at local parks.  While Nunez’s wife was often present, she claimed she was unaware of the crimes.

Detectives found a hidden closet in Nunez’s Panorama City residence when they served a search warrant in December.  They recovered computers and memory cards from cameras that were stored in the hidden closet, separate from other photography equipment in the house.

“These items are undergoing forensic analysis and we expect to find other victims,” Lt. Vernon explained.  Nunez was well known among the Hispanic population in the San Fernando Valley for photographing quinceañeras over, at least, the last five years.

Nunez is 5’5” tall, medium build, with a receding hairline.  He and his wife ran Hollywood Photos and Video.  His wife has not been implicated in any crimes.  A judge issued an arrest warrant for Nunez with a charge of felony Lewd Act on a Child and set the bail at $1 million.

Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Detective Nicole Kittle at (818) 838-9975, or Marc Madero at (818) 838-9969.  Anonymous tips can be called into Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477), or by texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Online tips may be placed at www.LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.