A Muldrow man is charged with possessing juvenile pornography after a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children led to his arrest.
William J. Curtis, 31, was formally charged on June 17 after 49 images and two videos of prepubescent female anime cartoon figures and others performing sexual acts were found on his phone and/ or computer.
He received a $5,000 bond and is scheduled for a Wednesday felony disposi-tion docket before Associate District Judge Kyle Waters.
Investigator Rebecca Greer with the Sequoyah County Sheriff ’s Office reported she was assigned the case through the Internet Crimes Against Children Data System on May 15. During the investigation, it was discovered that the IP address came back to a residence in Muldrow.
In January, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) agents obtained a search warrant for the downloaded files.
Agents reported recovering multiple photos and videos, some containing adult and child pornography. Agents also reported finding chat discussions between Curtis and other users, according to the probable cause affidavit filed in the case.
In March, OSBI agents contacted the Muldrow Police Department to assist in locating the subject based on photographs that he had taken of himself. Authorities were able to identify the man as Curtis and found that he was residing at an apartment complex in Muldrow.
Greer was able to obtain a search warrant for the apartment complex on June 10, where she met with a relative of Curtis’.
The relative said Curtis had ridden his bicycle to a local store for groceries. Officers found him returning from the store and transported him back to the scene, where the search was then conducted.
Greer informed Curtis as to why they were there and he replied that he “wasn’t that kind of person,” and alleged an ex could possibly be using his information.
When confronted about the anime porn, Curtis reportedly admitted to possessing and sharing some but didn’t know that it could get him into trouble, according to the affidavit. He also claimed that he didn’t remember searching for some of the material. Curtis was then transported to the Sequoyah County Detention Center for booking. He pled not guilty to his charge during a June arraignment.
Later on, officers conducted a follow-up interview with Curtis about the images, where he stated there were no pictures of minors on his phone other than the anime ones.
Greer then sent the case file to the District Attorney’s office for review.
District Attorney Jack Thorp said if found guilty of the charge, it is punishable by imprisonment for not more than 20 years or by the imposition of a fine of not more than $25,000, or both fine and imprisonment. Thorp said persons convicted under the charge shall not be eligible for a deferred sentence.
