DESOTO PARISH, La. — A Logansport man was arrested following an investigation into the alleged online possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material, according to the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation began after the Sheriff’s Office received information from the Louisiana Office of the Attorney General concerning possible online distribution of child sexual abuse material, commonly referred to as CSAM.
Detectives identified Augustus Westbrook, 26, of Logansport, as the individual allegedly responsible for possessing and distributing the material, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators obtained a warrant that was executed at Westbrook’s residence on Sept. 22. During the search, authorities seized a cellular device as evidence.
The Sheriff’s Office reported that Westbrook was advised of his Miranda rights and subsequently admitted to investigators that he knowingly possessed and distributed CSAM.
Westbrook was taken into custody and booked into the DeSoto Parish Detention Center on 10 counts of child sexual abuse material, in violation of Louisiana R.S. 14:81.1.
The investigation remained ongoing, with authorities saying additional charges could be filed following a digital forensic examination of the seized device and review of any additional evidence.
The DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office thanked the Louisiana Office of the Attorney General for identifying the alleged activity and providing information to local investigators.
All charges are accusations, and Westbrook is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.