By Ray King
A $100,000 bond was set Thursday for a White Hall man accused of possession or distribution of child pornography.
When police served a search warrant at the residence of Kelsey Owens, they also reportedly found methamphetamine, guns, and drug paraphernalia.
Jefferson County District Judge Kim Bridgforth set the bond for Owens after ruling that in addition to the child porn, prosecutors have probable cause to charge him with possession of methamphetamine with the purpose to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia, and simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms.
Reading from a probable cause affidavit from White Hall Police Investigator Clayton Cantrell, Deputy Prosecutor Karres Manning said Cantrell was contacted by State Police Investigator Dustin Thompson of the Crimes Against Children and Families Unit on April 1. Thompson had been contacted by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children who reported that a video showing alleged child pornography had been uploaded to Snap Chat.
Manning said police served a search warrant at Owen’s house on April 26 and seized a cell phone and several thumb drives. They also located a bag containing 2.5 grams of suspected methamphetamine, a loaded syringe, and two rifles.
When Owens was questioned, he allegedly said the phone and thumb drives contained hundreds of videos of possible child pornography.
Owens was told to come back to court on May 20.
