A controversial San Francisco political consultant was arrested Thursday on child pornography charges.

Enrique Pearce, 41, was arrested on a search warrant by police officers at Leavenworth and McAllister streets in the Civic Center area, according to police.

He was booked into County Jail on charges of possessing and distributing child pornography images, along with receiving or buying stolen property. Police said the case involves more than 600 images.

“Mayor Lee is profoundly shocked. These are deeply disturbing and serious charges, and he trusts law enforcement to fully investigate and prosecute, if true. The Mayor has also directed his campaign to terminate all ties with Mr. Pearce and his firm, effective immediately,” said Tony Winnicker, Senior Advisor to the mayor.

Pearce is a well-known political consultant and attorney in San Francisco whose firm is currently working on Mayor Ed Lee's re-election campaign. In 2007, he opened Pearce Law Offices at 901 Market St. representing clients in employment, labor and contract law cases, according to its website.

Pearce runs the Left Coast Communications political consulting firm.

“The most effective people in this business advocate for their clients behind the scenes,” Mark Mosher, a partner at the BMWL political consulting firm in The City, told The San Francisco Examiner. “When you become the story yourself, you're dead.”

“It’s horrifying and shocking,” said Supervisor Jane Kim, who Pearce consulted for in 2010 and 2014 on her supervisor races. Kim’s contact with Pearce ended in November after the election.

Pearce helped Kim win her first campaign for office and then led the “Run Ed Run” campaign in 2011 that sought to convince the then-interim Mayor Ed Lee to seek a full term in office.

Pearce's firm is registered as a campaign consultant for Mayor Ed Lee’s re-election campaign, according to Ethics Commission filings. His firm registered to represent Ed Lee For Mayor 2015, starting April 1, 2015, and ending November 15, 2015.

Former assemblyman and supervisor Tom Ammiano was equally surprised by the news. “That’s shocking,” said Ammiano of Pearce who interned for Ammiano in 2000. “When he worked for me he used the name John Henry Pearce… He was a good volunteer.”

Pearce could not be reached for comment Friday. Two people at the Pearce Law Offices said they had not heard from or seen him Friday.

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