|
|
|
Attorney General Joseph R. Biden III joined state and local police at the Delaware Child Predator Task Force Aug. 2 to announce the arrest of Smyrna resident and registered sex offender Stephen W. Carman on child pornography charges following an investigation into the possession of child sexual exploitation images on the Internet.
On July 27, the task force, including officers from the Delaware Department of Justice, Delaware State Police and Smyrna Police Department, and agents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement executed a search warrant at Carman’s home in the 400 block of Smyrna-Clayton Boulevard, said Department of Justice spokesman Jason Miller. Two computers and other digital evidence were seized, as well as fireworks and a small amount of marijuana.
Carman, 54, was immediately arrested for the possession of fireworks and marijuana and released on unsecured bond.
The initial forensic analysis of the computers and digital evidence revealed more than 50 images of child pornography, including images of young children being sexually assaulted by adult males, Miller said. As a result, Carman was arrested by Smyrna Police at his residence July 28 and charged with 29 counts of dealing in child pornography. He was committed to James T. Vaughn Correction Center in default of $141,000 secured bond.
While Carman was being processed at Smyrna Police headquarters, he allegedly made a phone call that led task force members to believe additional evidence was hidden at his home. Based on that information, an additional search warrant was executed the evening of July 28 at the home, allowing officers to seize additional digital media, including a flash drive secured by duct tape underneath the kitchen sink.
An initial forensic examination of the evidence seized July 28 revealed more than 3,200 images of child pornography, including images and videos of young females being sexually assaulted by adult males, Miller said. As a result, Carman was rearrested July 29 and charged with an additional 27 counts of dealing in child pornography, as well as attempting to destroy physical evidence and criminal solicitation.
He was arraigned via video phone from the Vaughn Correctional Center with bond set at $545,000 cash on the additional charges.
Attorney General Joseph R. Biden III joined state and local police at the Delaware Child Predator Task Force Aug. 2 to announce the arrest of Smyrna resident and registered sex offender Stephen W. Carman on child pornography charges following an investigation into the possession of child sexual exploitation images on the Internet.
On July 27, the task force, including officers from the Delaware Department of Justice, Delaware State Police and Smyrna Police Department, and agents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement executed a search warrant at Carman’s home in the 400 block of Smyrna-Clayton Boulevard, said Department of Justice spokesman Jason Miller. Two computers and other digital evidence were seized, as well as fireworks and a small amount of marijuana.
Carman, 54, was immediately arrested for the possession of fireworks and marijuana and released on unsecured bond.
The initial forensic analysis of the computers and digital evidence revealed more than 50 images of child pornography, including images of young children being sexually assaulted by adult males, Miller said. As a result, Carman was arrested by Smyrna Police at his residence July 28 and charged with 29 counts of dealing in child pornography. He was committed to James T. Vaughn Correction Center in default of $141,000 secured bond.
While Carman was being processed at Smyrna Police headquarters, he allegedly made a phone call that led task force members to believe additional evidence was hidden at his home. Based on that information, an additional search warrant was executed the evening of July 28 at the home, allowing officers to seize additional digital media, including a flash drive secured by duct tape underneath the kitchen sink.
An initial forensic examination of the evidence seized July 28 revealed more than 3,200 images of child pornography, including images and videos of young females being sexually assaulted by adult males, Miller said. As a result, Carman was rearrested July 29 and charged with an additional 27 counts of dealing in child pornography, as well as attempting to destroy physical evidence and criminal solicitation.
He was arraigned via video phone from the Vaughn Correctional Center with bond set at $545,000 cash on the additional charges.
