Photo of Ernest Alford Cargile | Photo courtesy of the Fayette County Jail
A Fayette man has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of child pornography following a four-month investigation.
According to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Branndon Collins, the investigation began after they received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) was being downloaded at a residence in Fayette County.
After receiving the information, Collins, who is currently assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), launched an investigation that resulted in identifying a suspect and obtaining a search warrant for a residence located in the 6000 block of AL Highway 18 West Fayette, AL.
During the course of the search warrant, Collins stated that multiple electronic devices were seized. A forensic analysis was conducted on the seized devices, and over 1,000 illegal images were discovered.
On Tuesday, June 3, Ernest Alford Cargile, 67, was arrested and charged with 13 counts of possession of child pornography, as well as one count of disorderly conduct and one count of resisting arrest. Sheriff Byron Yerby emphasized their commitment to public safety, stating, “We will continue to do everything to protect our children and keep our community safe at all cost.”
Investigator Collins stated that if anyone has any questions or concerns about internet safety for your children or teens to please contact him via email bcollins@fayetteso.com.
Yerby also extended gratitude to the University of Alabama Regional Evidence Analysis and Cyber Intelligence Team (REACT), Homeland Security Investigations, the Alabama State Probation Office, and the 24th Circuit District Attorney’s Office, for assisting in the investigation.
Additional charges are expected, and the investigation remains ongoing. Cargile is currently being held at the Fayette County Jail on a $1.3 million bond.
* When a defendant is charged with a crime, the charge is merely an accusation until or unless the defendant is proven guilty in a court of law.
See complete story in The Times-Record.
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