Newton man charged with child porn

A Newton man was arrested by Ozark police Nov. 24 on multiple charges that include child pornography.

James C. Abshire, 59, is charged with possession with intent to disseminate child pornography, attempted electronic solicitation of a child and second-degree receiving stolen property.

According to Ozark Police Chief Col. Charles Ward, the arrest followed an investigation that began in October of this year when information was provided to the Ozark Police Department of inappropriate behavior from Abshire, who was at that time a counselor at Arch Counseling in Ozark.

“The information received alleged that Abshire attempted to electronically solicit an underage teenager,” Ward said. “During the investigation, additional complaints were received involving Abshire allegedly inappropriately touching an underage child.”

Ward said the information led to a search warrant being executed on Abshire’s residence in Newton where investigators seized computer equipment belonging to Abshire. During the search of one of the seized devises, child pornography was located. A stolen firearm was also located.

Abshire was subsequently arrested and booked into the Dale County Jail on a $50,000 bond, Ward said, adding that no additional information can be released at this time due to the ongoing investigation.

The Ozark Police credits the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency State Bureau of Investigations for their assistance in this investigation.