Massive weapons cache found during child porn investigation

TEMPE, Ariz. (KSAZ) - Tempe Police arrested a man on child porn charges, but they found a lot more during the investigation.

During the investigation, a massive gun arsenal was found. with many of the firearms produced illegally.

While Tempe Police officials say the man was a danger to children in the area, neighbors say the suspect, identified as 55-year-old Hernan Alberto Aristizabal, was pretty quiet, and kept to himself. Aristizabal has been booked on ten counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, after police say they found hundreds of images of children engaging in sexual acts with adult men.

"For us, one picture is too many," said Det. Liliana Duran with Tempe Police. "So when we hear there's hundreds of pictures, those are hundreds of kids that are victims of these horrific crimes. Their photos are being traded, and so, it's a huge concern when we see something like this."

Tempe Police were tipped off by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. They obtained a search warrant, and arrested the suspect on Wednesday. Court paperwork states detectives took numerous items of children clothing, including swim suits and underwear stored in a suitcase. Aristizabal reportedly admitted to having a sexual interest in children, but was uncomfortable and embarrassed when discussing the topic with detectives, according to court paperwork.

In addition, detectives found several illegally manufactured weapons that were locked in large gun safes inside the home.

"They also found over 200 weapons," said Det. Duran. "Some of them were automatic weapons, rifles that were found. Very high-caliber type weapons."

ATF has taken over that part of the investigation. Meanwhile, Aristizabal is from Colombia, and has family there. Originally, he was scheduled to fly to the South American country on Thursday.