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A Lower Salem man was arrested last week and charged with pandering obscenity involving a minor or impaired person following search warrant, according to a press release from the Washington County Sheriff's Department.
Andrew Tucker, 34, 325 Wetzler Road, Lower Salem, first caught the attention of the Southeastern Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force on Jan. 19 and on Feb. 15, agents carried out a search warrant at his residence, the release said.
"Tucker explained he received unprovoked child pornography from someone via (the Telegram app) stating initially that he deleted the entire app, including pictures once he saw what the media was," the release said. "However, agents confirmed the app was still active on his cellphone."
Analysts found a child pornography video and that Tucker had conversations with someone on the app who has not yet been identified, according to Washington County Prosecutor Nicole Coil.
"At one point, the unknown sender advised he had 11,13,15 and 17-year-old sisters with Tucker stating 'show me,'" the release said. "A short time later, the unknown sender sent Tucker a picture of a pre-pubescent female naked from the chest down."
Several photos and videos were found in Tucker's conversations of "nude juveniles and sexual acts," according to the release.
Tucker was arraigned in Marietta Municipal Court on Feb. 16 and was issued a $2,500 personal recognizance bond.
Coil commends the Southeastern Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force and its positive impact on the justice system.
"I cannot say enough good things about the work the Human Trafficking Task Force has been doing," she said. "Their true success lies in their tireless work and dedication to find and help those who are being victimized, or previously have been victimized, and to protect our children and others who are vulnerable in the community."