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LBPDPIO@longbeach.gov
Long Beach Police Department Child and Elder Abuse detectives have arrested a suspect responsible for lewd acts against a child and the manufacturing and possession of child sexual abuse material.
On April 13, 2026, Child and Elder Abuse detectives received an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) cyber tip regarding a potential victim of child sexual abuse and child sexual abuse material. Detectives identified the suspect as a resident of Long Beach and immediately launched an investigation, gathering evidence and building a case that led to an arrest.
On April 16, 2026, detectives arrested Mircea Radu Tonoiu, a 58-year-old resident of Long Beach, in the City of Torrance.
Through their investigation, detectives determined that Tonoiu had manufactured child sexual abuse material of a female victim and was in possession of approximately 157,000 images of child sexual abuse material.
“The exploitation of a child is reprehensible, and this investigation demonstrates the magnitude and scope of the harm caused by these deplorable crimes,” said Police Chief Wally Hebeish. “The trauma inflicted by this suspect on a child is intolerable and I’d like to thank the detectives and agency partners who are holding him accountable.”
Tonoiu was booked on the manufacturing of child pornography, possession of child pornography, and lewd acts with a child. Bail was set at $275,000.
Detectives presented the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office for filing consideration.
This arrest was a part of the Los Angeles Regional ICAC taskforce’s multi-agency effort known as Operation Firewall, which took place between April 19 and May 3, 2026. The goal of Operation Firewall was to identify and arrest predators who used the internet to sexually exploit children and rescue those children from their abusers.
To report potential child sexual abuse activity and have the harmful matter removed from the internet, visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s “Take It Down” service at www.takeitdown.ncmec.org.
For more information, safety tips, and educational resources, visit www.Missingkids.org/NetSmartz.
Anonymous tips may be submitted through “LA Crime Stoppers” by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the “P3 Tips” app to your smartphone (available at the Apple App Store and Google Play), or visiting www.LACrimestoppers.org.