Camarillo Man Federally Charged with Abusing His Access as Civilian Contractor to Illegally Film U.S. Naval Base Activities and Equipment

LOS ANGELES - A Ventura County man is scheduled to be arraigned today on federal charges that he abused his access to a U.S. naval base as a civilian contractor by entering restricted areas to photograph and film sensitive military equipment, airplanes, and training exercises, then sharing these images and videos with others.

Todd Jeremy Senff, 46, of Camarillo, is charged with 14 misdemeanors: 11 counts of violation of a defense property security regulation and three counts of entering military property for an unlawful purpose.

His arraignment is scheduled for this afternoon in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.

According to court documents, Senff worked for a Navy construction services contractor at Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC). This naval base houses a population of approximately 19,000 personnel and is comprised of three installations, including NBVC Point Mugu. Point Mugu houses several naval logistics commands and naval weapons testings commands, including unique facilities to conduct weapons research, development, and evaluation.

NBVC also provides direct access to the Point Mugu Sea Range, which is the Navy's largest instrumented sea range and supports air, surface, and submarine operations and exercises. It also supports weapons testing, missile defense support, and multinational training exercises.

In September 2023, NBVC awarded a three-year construction contract to Senff's employer for various projects. Senff was involved in approximately four of these projects, and he obtained a credential that granted him access to portions of the naval base.

From June 2024 to September 2024, Senff used his access to NBVC to unlawfully take photographs and videos of sensitive military equipment and military exercises. He then sent some of the unlawfully taken photographs and videos to his associates, along with messages regarding military activities.

The United States Navy strictly regulates photography on naval installations to protect and secure U.S. Department of War property against, among other things, sabotage and subversive actions. NBVC Point Mugu maintained posted signage in conspicuous and appropriate places stating that photography was prohibited.

An information merely contains allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

If convicted, Senff would face a statutory maximum sentence of one year in federal prison for each count of violation of a defense property security regulation and a statutory maximum sentence of six months in federal prison for each count of entering military property for an unlawful purpose.

The FBI and Naval Criminal Investigative Service are investigating this matter.

Assistant United States Attorney Joseph S. Guzman of the National Security Division is prosecuting this case.