In the early morning hours of Sept. 28, 2014, officers from the Alameda Police Department (APD) arrested Stephen Petersen and charged him with arson. APD suspected Petersen of having a role in setting a series of arson fires that plagued the city earlier in that same evening. The Alameda County District Attorney dropped all charges against Petersen on Oct. 31, 2014. 

While investigating Petersen for his alleged role in the fires, police reportedly found child pornography on his computer. The discovery precipitated a new investigation that led to new charges. Petersen turned himself in at the Hayward Police Department in February 2015 and was released on bail. 

Negotiations between the Alameda County District Attorney and Petersen and his attorney led to the brokering of a plea-deal agreement. Petersen signed the agreement last Thursday, Jan. 28.  The next day, Petersen stood before a judge and pleaded guilty to possession of obscene matter. He listened as the judge imposed the agreed-upon sentence: three years’ probation and a requirement to register as a sex offender.