HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) – A man was arrested on multiple child pornography charges in Madison County on Monday following a tip from the online predator hunting group, Predator Poachers.
According to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were initially contacted by someone in the predator hunting group after an alleged case involving the online enticement of a minor.
The group told the sheriff’s office they were investigating an online sting operation when they encountered a suspect who they believed had been communicating inappropriately with an individual portrayed as an 11-year-old child.
Deputies responded to the reported location and then made contact with the Predator Poachers group members, who provided evidence indicating that the suspect, identified as John Canaan Emmons, 23, had sent explicit photographs during the online exchange.
The sheriff’s office’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) detective was then notified and responded to the scene.
The sheriff’s office said that after talking with the Predator Poacher organization, detectives reviewed the information obtained during their operation and determined that it was believed to support an existing ICAC investigation already underway involving Emmons.
Authorities then made contact with Emmons.
During the interview, detectives obtained Emmons’ consent to search his mobile device, officials said.
After a forensic review, it was revealed that the presence of child sexual abuse material was located on the phone.
Emmons was taken into custody and charged with four counts of Possession of Child Pornography.
He was booked into the Madison County Jail on a $40,000 bond.
This remains an active investigation. There could be additional charges as the investigation continues.
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