East Bay teacher’s aide charged with possessing child porn

DISCOVERY BAY — Contra Costa County prosecutors have accused a Discovery Bay man who was a teacher’s aide with annoying or molesting a child and possessing child pornography, authorities said and court records showed.

Detectives arrested 25-year-old Dominic Vannucci on Wednesday, according to a statement from the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office. A task force with the Contra Costa Internet Crimes Against Children task force served a search warrant at  a residence in the 2200 block of Breaker Court.

According to the sheriff’s office, detectives seized electronic devices containing child pornography, along with other items.

Court records show that prosecutors have charged Vannucci with possessing more than 600 illegal images of people under 18 engaged in sexual conduct. Prosecutors also charged with him 16 misdemeanor counts of annoying or molesting a child.

Vannucci remained in custody Thursday at the Martinez Detention Facility in lieu of $800,000 bail. According to the sheriff’s office, he had been working as a teacher’s aide at Excelsior Middle School in Byron.

The sheriff’s office said it is continuing to investigate, and asked anyone who may have had contact with Vannucci to to contact their investigative division at 925-313-2600. Anonymous tips can be sent to tips@so.cccounty.us or called in at 866-846-3592.