LANCASTER – A 36-year-old man who robbed a Lancaster bank and had 400 images of child pornography on his cell phone was sentenced Wednesday to more than 18 years in state prison.
Chad Robert Kester pleaded no contest April 26 to two felony counts of second-degree robbery and one felony count of possession of child pornography, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Kester also will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, said Deputy District Attorney Eunice Kim.
The case stems from an incident that occurred Sept. 11, 2015, at the U.S. Bank branch on the 2800 block of West Avenue L in Lancaster.
Kester entered the bank while out on bail for a robbery at a local Walmart, and approached a bank teller with a note demanding money, the prosecutor said. The teller handed over more than $1,000 to Kester and he left and drove off, the prosecutor added.
An analysis of Kester’s cell phone following his arrest revealed he possessed approximately 400 still images of child pornography, the prosecutor said.
The cases were investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
–
Previous related story: Bank robbery in Lancaster
sidni dyer says
Does anyone have a photo of this guy???
molly ashby says
your so right he tryed to scam ne out of money but i was to smart to fall in his trap
Katwoman says
How come there is no pictures of criminal. There are more than 1 Chad Robert Kester listed in phone directory.
April says
Hope he serves all of his time. You can bet he’s a tweaker (crystal method addict)
Dewayne says
It’s not overreach… He will have a release date… But wit the child pornography he will always be in the system. And that’s a good thing.
Lilly says
Newsflash – anybody with a criminal conviction is always in the system. 65 million Americans or 1 out of 4 adults have one. Yet there is special and perpetual punishment for 100,000 California residents – some with offenses as old as 60 years ago or as terrible as exchanging text messages with a 17 year old.
Why does this convict not have to register for the rest of his life as a bank robber? Be banned from setting foot in a financial institution or living within a certain radius of one?
TAke that says
Everyone knows what happens to someone who is convicted of be in the possession of child porn, or any crime related to children. They are targeted immediately. This person will be stabbed, beat up, get the crap kicked out of, face smashed in…ect. Prison justice is the real ultimate justice.
John says
If this was 400 images if adults 18 + would be a diffrent story, that I would support and defend this guy, but these are children. Just 1 us bad but 400? I am going to the courthouse Tuesday because I want to know if my kids ended up in this fools fantasy.
Miss Princess says
I happen to know him better than most people and the child porn charges are ridiculous. He acquired that charge 6 months after he was arrested for the bank robbery, and only after he refused to take the da’s first 2 offers of 22 years and than 12 years. Anybody who knows him would know that everything in his phone is backed up to his Google account. I would gladly post every single picture and video he has on his Google just to prove the charge is bogus.
Shane Falco says
Well then he should have had a trial to show his innocence and let twelve complete strangers see for themselves.
It’s not like it was one or two pics…it was 400.
I also don’t see you disputing the part that he committed a robbery…while out on bail for robbery. You obviously don’t want us to think he’s a bad guy. You might just find people sympathetic to you here.
AJ says
U may know him but not better than me i have 3 children by him and franly this makes me sick why would he plee no contest nobody wants that on there head in prison an innocent man would have fought it so quit defending the pos he should have got more time
Kitkat says
If you know him so well how come he is also scamming woman for $$$ too on Facebook.