A rape and child pornography investigation that extends from Milford to Lockland may reach far beyond the Tri-State and likely includes more suspects and more young victims, Lockland police said.
“Seems like there might be a ring going on from talking to our suspect,” said Sgt. Chris Lind during a news conference Thursday.
Lockland police received information from Milford police about a possible child pornography suspect Wednesday morning, explained Chief James Toles. Investigators said they gathered enough evidence to search a Williams Street home, and found what the officers described as “disturbing.”
“I’ve been doing this for 31 years and have I ever come in contact with a case like this? No,” Toles said. “I’ve seen a lot of bad things in our world. But this right here is probably the worst that I’ve ever had to deal with.”
Lockland police arrested William Joseph Bustillos III, 25, who is charged with raping a 5-year-old boy. The alleged offense happened on Dec. 1, 2018.
According to an arrest report, Bustillos “confessed in a recorded interview to photographing a minor,” and raping the victim.
Lockland police said they recovered several media items from the home including computers, phones, gaming systems and flash drives. Lind said police also uncovered a “disturbing” room with “Satanic” elements.
“There’s a lot of indications that it was used for producing pornographic films involving children,” he said
Investigators said Bustillos admitted that he was sharing images of children with other people in the Cincinnati area but did not share any names with police.
Sgt. Scott Godbey said Lockland police are currently focused on the single victim in their city; however, there are hundreds, and “probably thousands” of images involved in this case, he said.
“We believe there could potentially be more victims but we will not know that until we get all of the digital evidence processed,” Godbey said.
Federal investigators involved
Lockland's Chief Toles said the FBI’s Violent Crimes Against Children/Online Predators section has been in contact with his department and will be working with officers to identify the children in the images.
Bustillos is being held in the Hamilton County Justice Center on a $3 million bond. He is charged with one count each of rape, gross sexual imposition, pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor and illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance. More charges are possible before his case goes before a Hamilton County grand jury on Sept. 9.
Two counties, two arrests
A rape investigation in Milford led to the arrest of Bustillos, according to Milford police.
Milford police arrested Joseph Suder, 36, on Aug. 16, officials said in a news release.
Suder is accused of raping a 7-year-old and “taking sexually explicit photographs” of the victim and two other children: ages 5 and 8, police said. The alleged crimes happened at an apartment complex in Milford.
A Clermont County grand jury indicted Suder on one count of rape and one count of gross sexual imposition on Aug. 22.
He is being held in the Clermont County Jail.
During the investigation into Suder, Milford police said Bustillos was “identified as a possible second suspect.”
Information provided to Lockland police by the Milford police resulted in the arrest the 25-year-old Lockland man.
“I want to thank Milford Police Department for the information that was given to us for this, due to the fact that we were able to take two abusive men off of the street that are violating the rights of these young children,” Toles said.
Bustillos is not currently facing charges in Clermont County. The connection between Bustillos and Suder remains unclear.
The victims
Lockland police said the victims in Lockland and Milford are safe and that children’s services is assisting in making sure they are receiving the appropriate care.
“There is gonna be a lifetime of trauma for these kids,” Godbey said, adding that the investigation has been a tough one for officers as well, “The only thing that was satisfying about last night was knowing he (Bustillos) was going to the jail and then hearing his bond this morning at $3 million.”
Bustillos told police he had been abused as a child, but when asked if he cared about the victims, “He indicated that he did not care,” Lind said.
Bustillos has lived in the area for six years, according to his defense attorney. He’s originally from California.
Investigators are asking anyone with information about Suder or Bustillos to contact the Milford police at 513-248-5084 or Lockland police at 513-761-1699.
