FORT PAYNE, Ala. – A DeKalb County Investigator, who is also assigned to the Alabama Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, received a report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding a social media account that was used to share child pornography.
DeKalb County Investigators and Special Response Team, along with ALEA, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Department of Homeland Security executed a search warrant at a residence in Jackson County early Thursday morning. After reviewing IP address details and logs, obtaining electronic devices, and speaking with witnesses, it was determined another potential suspect in this case to be a police officer employed with the Town of Henagar.
The investigation continued all morning Thursday and sufficient evidence was gathered to secure an arrest warrant for Joshua Min Kwon (40 of Henagar). Kwon was charged with Public Dissemination/Display of Obscene Matter Under 17. Kwon was arrested and interviewed Thursday evening. Kwon was then transported to the DeKalb County Jail without incident.
The case is still under investigation and additional charges could be pending.
DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden said of the incident:
“It is a sad day for law enforcement!
Chief Smith at Henagar is a great guy and always willing to help in any way, even in times like this when it’s his own officer. I know that this very hard for Chief Smith because I’ve been there myself, unfortunately. Once again, right is still right and wrong is still wrong no matter what! If you’re in the wrong, we will do our best to enforce the law no matter who you are! And I hope this strongly shows that we will do so if it has happened in DeKalb County!
With that being said, there are still GREAT leaders in law enforcement we do not tolerate such disgraceful acts as this even though it still gives us ALL a black eye. I’ll still say it was a Fantastic job by ALEA, our very own DCSO Investigation Unit, Chief Smith, and all the others that were involved in the process.
“God Bless!” Concluded Sheriff Welden.
