GUNTERSVILLE– The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Guntersville man following an investigation into multiple cyber tips involving suspected child sexual abuse material.
Investigators arrested Andrew Jacob Barragree, 38, of Guntersville, on Wednesday, July 15. Authorities charged him with five counts of possession of child sexual abuse material.
Barragree was booked into the Marshall County Jail, where he remains under a $250,000 bond.
Investigation Began With Cyber Tip
The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children on June 22. The agency also received a report from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force concerning uploads that reportedly contained child sexual abuse material.
Investigators executed search warrants for several online accounts and identified a suspect. During the investigation, the sheriff’s office received information about two additional ICAC cyber tips involving the same person.
Investigators Search Guntersville Apartment
Investigators executed a search warrant Wednesday at an apartment in the 13000 block of Highway 431 in Guntersville.
Deputies seized several electronic devices during the search. Investigators conducted a preliminary on-scene examination of two devices, which the sheriff’s office said led to Barragree’s arrest.
Under Alabama law, possession of child sexual abuse material is a Class B felony. Each count carries a possible sentence of two to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $30,000.
The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains ongoing and additional charges are expected.
Homeland Security Investigations–RAC Huntsville, the Marshall County District Attorney’s Office and the Guntersville Police Department assisted with the investigation.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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