Piedmont man arrested for child sexual abuse material

PIEDMONT — A Piedmont man was arrested and charged with possession of child sexual abuse material following an investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, authorities said.

Tanner D. Stevens, 22, was charged Feb. 28 with three counts of possession of child pornography, according to the highway patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control.

Investigators with the patrol’s Special Victims Unit identified a device linked to Stevens’ internet account that had uploaded potential child sexual abuse material during an online investigation in February. The video was later confirmed to depict child sexual abuse material, the patrol said.

Investigators contacted Stevens on Feb. 27 at his Piedmont residence. A forensic search of an electronic device revealed a video containing child sexual abuse material. Stevens was interviewed and subsequently arrested.

He was transported to the Wayne County Jail, where he is being held without bond.

Wayne County Prosecuting Attorney Ginger Joyner formally filed the charges against Stevens on Feb. 28.

The highway patrol urged internet users to report any instances of unwanted, inappropriate or sexualized communication with children to law enforcement.