BIRMINGHAM, AL - On Friday, October 3, a Briarwood Christian School computer technology director was arrested and charged with 20 child pornography related charges.
The alleged suspect, 34-year-old Taylor Michael Ward, faces 10 counts of possession of child pornography and 10 counts of display or dissemination of child pornography, according to WBRC. Briarwood Presbyterian Church's pastor, Dr. Scott Redd, said that Ward is not a member of the congregation and as of Friday afternoon, is no longer an employee of the school.
"We have been made aware that an employee of Briarwood Christian School was arrested this morning in his home for possession and dissemination of child sexual abuse materials," Redd said in a statement. "Briarwood strives to provide a safe and secure environment for all of our children, families, and staff, and we are shocked and deeply saddened by this news. We are fully cooperating with the Shelby County Sheriff's Office in their investigation."
"The Shelby County Sheriff's Office will work tirelessly to stop any transmission or receipt of child pornography in this county," said Sheriff John Samaniego. "I have a team of incredibly skilled investigators armed with state of the art technology to track such abhorrent images and stop the victimization of precious children."
On Friday, investigators executed a search warrant at his home and arrested him, seizing numerous electronic devices, according to WVTM13. On September 22, SCSO criminal investigators received information on the dissemination of child sexual abuse material at multiple locations in Shelby and Jefferson counties from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
When he was arrested, Ward was allegedly caught in possession of obscene material that contained videos of prepubescent girls being subjected to various sexual acts, according to the Shelby County Reporter. Ward remains in jail on a bond set at $900,000.
Investigation into the case is ongoing and those with additional information are encouraged to reach out at Rgibson@shelbyso.com or at 205-670-6274. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
The alleged suspect, 34-year-old Taylor Michael Ward, faces 10 counts of possession of child pornography and 10 counts of display or dissemination of child pornography, according to WBRC. Briarwood Presbyterian Church's pastor, Dr. Scott Redd, said that Ward is not a member of the congregation and as of Friday afternoon, is no longer an employee of the school.
"We have been made aware that an employee of Briarwood Christian School was arrested this morning in his home for possession and dissemination of child sexual abuse materials," Redd said in a statement. "Briarwood strives to provide a safe and secure environment for all of our children, families, and staff, and we are shocked and deeply saddened by this news. We are fully cooperating with the Shelby County Sheriff's Office in their investigation."
"The Shelby County Sheriff's Office will work tirelessly to stop any transmission or receipt of child pornography in this county," said Sheriff John Samaniego. "I have a team of incredibly skilled investigators armed with state of the art technology to track such abhorrent images and stop the victimization of precious children."
On Friday, investigators executed a search warrant at his home and arrested him, seizing numerous electronic devices, according to WVTM13. On September 22, SCSO criminal investigators received information on the dissemination of child sexual abuse material at multiple locations in Shelby and Jefferson counties from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
When he was arrested, Ward was allegedly caught in possession of obscene material that contained videos of prepubescent girls being subjected to various sexual acts, according to the Shelby County Reporter. Ward remains in jail on a bond set at $900,000.
Investigation into the case is ongoing and those with additional information are encouraged to reach out at Rgibson@shelbyso.com or at 205-670-6274. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
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