Lake Elsinore Photographer Accused Of Child Molestation Returned To Jail

A Lake Elsinore photographer accused of molesting and taking sexually suggestive photos of two girls was returned to jail today after a judge tripled his bail.

Perry Anthony Pellegrini, 50, could face more than 40 years in prison if convicted of five counts of lewd acts on a child under 15 and one count of possessing child pornography.

Pellegrini had been free on a $50,000 bond since early January. However, the Riverside County District Attorney's Office

During a bail review hearing at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta, Superior Court Judge Michael Rushton agreed with the prosecution, increasing the defendant's bail to $150,000. Pellegrini was immediately remanded to the custody of sheriff's deputies.

His attorney, Richard Swanson, persuaded the judge to place Pellegrini in a segregated housing unit at the Southwest Detention Center for his own protection.

According to sheriff's Sgt. Patrick Chavez, the defendant's wife contacted deputies after confronting him about his alleged molestation of a child.

Chavez said Pellegrini attempted to slash his wrists, prompting a call to 911. The professional photographer was rushed to a hospital, where he received treatment for his wounds and a psychiatric evaluation. When he was released, investigators immediately took him into custody, according to the sergeant.

A search of Pellegrini's home computer revealed "numerous digital photographs depicting minors in several states of undress," Chavez said.

Pellegrini owns Psp Photography on Riverside Drive in Lake Elsinore and a studio in Huntington Beach.

Rushton issued a protective order last week barring the defendant from having any contact with the alleged victims in the case.

In December, to the charges against him.