An Ararat man was charged with 11 felony counts of possession of child pornography, with alleged victim ages between 3 and 7 years old, according to a news release from Patrick County Sheriff Dan Smith.
Oscar Alfredo Roman, 39, was arrested on Thursday, Dec. 22 by Patrick County deputies. A search warrant was subsequently executed on a Willis Gap Road residence by members of the sheriff’s office tactical response team.
Smith said investigator Jason Kruse, who represents the sheriff’s office on the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Regional Task Force, received a tip alleging an Ararat man’s involvement in connection with the incidents. Kruse then began an investigation, and obtained multiple search warrants to retrieve electronic data, which led to the arrest.
“Cases like this are complex and involve specific training and knowledge,” Smith said in a release. The sheriff’s office was assisted by the Surry County, N.C. Sheriff’s Office, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, Bedford County, Virginia, Sheriff’s Office, and the Virginia State Police.
“We are grateful for our North Carolina and neighboring Virginia law enforcement partners, the inter-agency cooperation in this case could not have been better,” Smith said.
Roman received a $9,500 secured bond, and was bonded out of jail a short time later.
Smith is asking anyone who has information regarding this case to contact Investigator Kruse confidentiality at (276) 692-5123.
