MONTGOMERY – Over the past week, Special Agents with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit teamed with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies across the southeast, in an internet-based child pornography takedown resulting in five arrests and the seizure of numerous digital devices containing child pornography.
“ALEA’s ICAC Unit is focused on locating and arresting predators who use digital media and devices to prey on children,” said Secretary of Law Enforcement Spencer Collier. “This multi-jurisdictional initiative is a true testament to the efforts of law enforcement to protect our children.”
Those arrested include:
- Richard Bryant, 60, of Ardmore, was charged with one count of Failure to Provide Required Registration Information and is being held at the Limestone County Jail.
- Michael Brandon, 37, of Hoover, was charged with one count Possession of Child Pornography and one count Dissemination of Child Pornography and is being held at the Jefferson County Jail.
- David Adam Knight, 35, of Decatur, was charged with one count Failure to Provide Required Registration Information and is being held Morgan County Jail.
- Darren Venable, 26, of Rainbow City, was charged with three counts Possession of Child Pornography and is being held at Etowah County Jail.
- Anthony Andrew Tew, 67, Eufaula, was charged with two counts Possession of Child Pornography and two counts Dissemination of Child Pornography and is being held at the Barbour County Jail.
ALEA’s ICAC Unit partnered with the Hoover Police Department, Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, Decatur Police Department, Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, Dale County Sheriff’s Office, Eufaula Police Department, Phenix City Police Department, Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Florida Department of Law Enforcement (Central Florida ICAC) and Georgia Bureau of Investigations (Georgia ICAC). Additionally, ALEA’s State Bureau of Investigations and SWAT Team were instrumental in this takedown.
Nothing further is available as investigative operation continues.
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