This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
State and federal authorities in California have arrested a woman and former beauty queen with ties to the Mormon church for allegedly producing and distributing child pornography.
Meghan Breanna Alt, 25, of Irvine, Calif., was arrested during a San Diego County traffic stop on Wednesday by officers assigned to the multiagency Orange County Child Exploitation Task Force, according to a joint news release from the Orange County Sheriff's Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Investigators say Alt used a 4-year-old child to produce child pornography, which she allegedly distributed electronically in exchange for cash and gifts. An investigation initiated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) after she allegedly sent child pornography to a Marine stationed in Southern California, the news release states.
Under questioning, Alt reportedly acknowledged using the child to manufacture and then distribute pornographic pictures, the release states. Investigators believe Alt also "advertised services online, which resulted in an exchange of sex for money, often with her children present," according to the release.
Authorities say Alt worked as a volunteer in children's programs for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Irvine and San Clemente. Church officials in Salt Lake City were unable to confirm whether Alt is a member of the faith Thursday evening.
In 2014, Alt was crowned Mrs. Orange County and competed in the Mrs. California pageant that year, authorities say.
Alt was booked into the Orange County Jail on suspicion of multiple California criminal charges, including production and distribution of child pornography, and lewd and lascivious conduct with a child. Bail is set at $100,000, and an initial appearance in the Orange County Superior Court is set for Friday.