A Mountain Home man, 36-year-old Brendan Meredith, appeared in Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday on 14 counts of child pornography after being taken into custody earlier in the day.
Arkansas State Police say Meredith’s arrest stems from an investigation initiated earlier this year by special agents in the department’s Criminal Investigation Division.
On April 23rd, a search warrant was executed at Merediths residence along South College Street. According to the affidavit for the arrest warrant, Meredith answered the knock at the door when ASP special agents arrived with the search warrant.
Meredith showed the agents the location of the computers, cell phones and digital storage devices they were seeking in the corner of the living room. Agents seized the computer equipment inside the home and determined through forensic analysis explicit images involving children had been downloaded onto the equipment.
Meredith has been formally charged with 14 counts of distributing, possessing, or viewing of matter depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child.
His appearance before Circuit Judge Gordon Webb Thursday was for an 8.1 hearing. Rule 8.1 of the Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure requires a person who has not been released from jail by posting a bond or other means be brought before a judicial officer without unnecessary delay.
Meredith’s bond was set at $50,000.
A spokesperson for the ASP tells KTLO, Classic Hits and The Boot news the criminal investigation remains open and active.
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