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FROM STAFF REPORTS

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office has arrested the assistant IT director at Briarwood Christian School for the alleged possession of child pornography.

Taylor Michael Ward, age 34 of Montevallo, was arrested by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office on Friday, Oct. 3, for the alleged possession of child pornography.

According to his LinkedIn page, Ward worked as the assistant IT director at Briarwood Christian School.

Ward was arrested by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office on Oct. 3 on 10 charges of possession of child pornography and 10 charges for dissemination/display of child pornography. He has been booked into the Shelby County Jail on a total bond of $900,000.

On Sept. 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.

As members of the Alabama Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, investigators quickly identified a suspect and obtained 10 arrest warrants for possession and 10 for distribution.

On Oct. 3, investigators executed a search warrant at Ward’s residence and seized several electronic devices. Ward was allegedly caught in possession of obscene material that contained videos of prepubescent girls being subjected to various sexual acts.

The SCSO expressed its gratitude to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office for the use of its electronic detection canine and handler, which assisted in the search.

“The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office will work tirelessly to stop any transmission or receipt of child pornography in this county,” Shelby County Sheriff John Samaniego said. “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.”

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 or online at Crimestoppersmetroal.com.