Former San Diego State University Police Sergeant Pleads Guilty in Federal Child Sexual Abuse Material Case

Guilty plea enters record in Central District of California case

A former San Diego State University (SDSU) police sergeant has pleaded guilty in a federal child sexual abuse material case, marking a major procedural shift from earlier court appearances in which he entered a not-guilty plea. The defendant, Paul Aurelio McClain, previously served with SDSU’s University Police Department and was living in Menifee at the time investigators executed a search tied to the allegations.

The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, where proceedings have been handled across Southern California locations including Riverside and Los Angeles. Court records and earlier filings described the charge as a federal offense involving possession of child pornography.

What investigators said they found

Investigative filings associated with the case described digital evidence that authorities said was linked to downloads of videos depicting the sexual abuse of children. Those documents said investigators located the material during a search of McClain’s residence and found files stored on an external hard drive situated on a desk in the home.

One description in the investigative paperwork characterized a video as depicting two young children, estimated to be in early elementary school age. The filings also stated that McClain’s campus law-enforcement duties did not involve investigations into child exploitation offenses.

SDSU police department response and employment status

SDSU police officials previously announced that a campus officer had been arrested on suspicion of possessing child pornography and that the department initiated termination steps upon learning of the allegations. The public statement did not identify the officer by name.

McClain had been identified in court records and related reporting as a sergeant with the campus police department since at least 2023.

What a guilty plea changes in federal court

A guilty plea generally eliminates the need for a trial and moves a case into the sentencing phase, where a federal judge determines punishment within statutory limits and under the federal sentencing guidelines framework. Sentencing outcomes can be influenced by factors such as the nature of the material, volume of files, and the defendant’s conduct during the investigation and prosecution.

• The plea resolves the question of guilt on the count admitted in court.

• The court typically orders a presentence investigation report before sentencing.

• Conditions imposed after release in child sexual abuse material cases frequently include strict supervision and registration requirements.

The guilty plea places the focus of the case on sentencing and post-conviction conditions, rather than a contested trial record.

The court has not announced sentencing details in the materials reviewed for this report. The case remains under federal jurisdiction in the Central District of California.