A rural Neosho man has been charged with felony possession of child pornography after Newton County authorities allegedly found “hundreds” of images on his computer, the sheriff said today.
James W. Butler, 50, was arrested Thursday night and charged today with class B felony possession of child pornography. Newton County Sheriff Ken Copeland said authorities were first notified that Butler might have pornographic images by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
The sheriff’s department then obtained a warrant and confiscated Butler’s computer, Copeland said.
“There were hundreds of child pornographic photos on (his computer),” Copeland said.
The department is working with federal authorities on the source of the materials, although Copeland said they apparently originated in Europe or Asia.
Butler has been charged in Newton County Circuit Court and is currently in the county jail on a $50,000 bond.
