The owner of Giovanni’s Fish Market in Morro Bay is currently battling six felony charges, including possession of child pornography and possession assault weapons. If convicted on all charges, Giovanni DeGarimore faces up to 18 years in prison.
Less than a year later, while looking through DeGarimore’s computer on July 7, 2023, Amy found two photos of apparent child pornography. In one of the photos, the girl appeared to be about 8 years old. On Nov. 14, 2023, officers served search warrants on DeGarimore’s primary residence on San Marcos Road in Atascadero, his car and his residences in Cambria and Bradley where they seized five firearms and multiple electronic devices. Investigators also discovered three photos showing minors engaging in sexual conduct, according to a police report.
The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office filed a notice they plan to use Evidence Code 1108 in the case, which allows prosecutors to bring in evidence of the defendant’s past sexual misconduct. DeGarimore’s criminal history includes charges for willful cruelty to a child, terrorist threats, false imprisonment, drunk driving and three counts of battery.
“Owner Giovanni DeGarimore characterized it as a ‘he said, she said’ situation and implied that the other employee’s reputation was more important than plaintiff’s safety,” according to the lawsuit.