Franklin man faces 40 counts of child porn

RUSSELLVILLE — A Franklin County man is facing 40 counts of possession of child pornography charges and may be facing more charges, according to Sheriff’s Sgt. Kyle Palmer.

Members of the state Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a cyber tip that Ryan Vega, 21, had uploaded child pornography to an electronic device.

After obtaining search warrants, sheriff’s deputies went to the 300 block of Shelnutt Loop and initially arrested and charged Vega on Wednesday afternoon with two counts of possession of child pornography.

Deputies found and confiscated two cellphones belonging to Vega, who was later booked into the Franklin County Jail.

Palmer then spent much of Thursday going through the two phones and arrived at 40 total counts of unlawful possession of child pornography.

“We still have not done a complete forensics analysis of both phones, so there may be more charges presented to the grand jury,” Palmer said.

Vega is being held in the jail on a $150,000 bond.

Palmer said that no one from his office has ever dealt with Vega.

Possession of child pornography is a Class C felony, according to the Code of Alabama.

If found guilty, Vega could be sentenced to no more than 10 years in jail for each count.