The Bowling Green Police Department has arrested a man in connection with child exploitation charges following an investigation triggered by a cyber-tip received from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Detectives received the tip March 14, which contained 49 confirmed images of child sex abuse material.
The tip provided crucial electronic information leading investigators to the residence of 51 year-old William J. Straut on Scottsville Road.
On Tuesday, detectives conducted an interview with Straut at his address. He later went to the Bowling Green Police Department headquarters to be interviewed.
During the interrogation, it was revealed that Straut had accessed and viewed the illicit images on his electronic devices. All of the images were obscene and included sexually obscene material of children between 7 and 10 years old, according to an arrest citation.
In response, detectives executed a search warrant and seized all electronic devices found within Straut’s residence. The evidence collected during the operation led to the charges against him.
Straut was taken into custody and booked into the Warren County Regional Jail. He now faces a total of 20 counts of Possessing Matter Portraying a Sexual Performance by a Minor under 12 years of age.
Police said Straut could face more charges related to other images they found on his devices. He told them a computer likely has more child sex abuse material on it, and detectives are working to obtain the laptop from his residence.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled in Warren County on April 3 at 9 a.m.
Straut remains in the Warren County Regional Jail on a $10,000 cash bond.
Source: WBKO
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