Santa Clara County prosecutors charged Damon Jon Luecke, a San Benito County Probation Department IT staff analyst, after alleged sexually explicit chats with a 13-year-old boy. The Gilroy resident, 53, faces three felonies and one misdemeanor, according to KTVU FOX 2. The case remains unresolved. Prosecutors have filed charges, but no court has found that Luecke committed the alleged conduct.
Table of Contents
- What prosecutors allege
- How the investigation began
- Where the criminal case stands
- Why investigators are seeking more information
What prosecutors allege
Prosecutors allege Luecke communicated with the boy through TikTok and knew he was 13. The conversations allegedly became sexually explicit and included discussions about photographs and meeting in person. Luecke ultimately met the child, according to CBS San Francisco's account of the allegations.
The available reports do not establish what occurred during that meeting. The reported charges include contacting a minor and arranging a meeting for lewd or lascivious acts, possessing child sexual abuse material, and annoying or molesting a child. Child sexual abuse material, often abbreviated CSAM, means sexually explicit material involving a child.
How the investigation began
The boy's mother found the TikTok communications and contacted Gilroy police on July 28. Her report started the investigation. Investigators then obtained warrants covering the boy's cellphone and online accounts.
They reported finding evidence that included sexually explicit images of the child. Gilroy police arrested Luecke at his home on Aug. 7. The reports do not say that the discovery of messages or images alone resolved every disputed fact; prosecutors must still prove the charges in court.
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Where the criminal case stands
Luecke was arraigned on Aug. 12 and was being held without bail. He was scheduled to return to Santa Clara county court on Sept. 28 to enter a plea, KTVU FOX 2 reported.
An arraignment formally places criminal charges before a defendant. It is not a trial and does not establish guilt. The distinction matters when reading early case reports: police allegations describe what investigators believe happened, while a conviction requires a plea or a finding through the court process. The supplied reports document neither at this stage.
Why investigators are seeking more information
Investigators are looking for information about possible additional victims. That request reflects Luecke's earlier work in positions involving young people, not proof that other victims exist.
Before joining San Benito County, Luecke spent about 16 years with San Mateo County Probation. His prior positions included juvenile corrections officer and counselor at Boys Ranch, according to San Jose Inside. Anyone with potentially relevant communications or firsthand information can take practical steps:.
- Preserve messages, usernames, images, dates and account details without editing them.
- Avoid reposting or forwarding sexually explicit images of a child.
- Provide the original information to Gilroy police and explain how it was obtained.
- Do not confront a suspected person or conduct an independent investigation.
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