VERNAL, Utah — A Vernal man is behind bars after an investigation by the Internet Crimes Against Children task force
Andrew Derek Walden, 31, faces 10 felony counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.
Walden is accused of sharing files containing child pornography via the Freenet peer-to-peer network.
"A search of [Walden's] apartment revealed numerous posters on the walls depicting sexually explicit 'anime' featuring young children as well as magazines which also contained sexually explicit 'anime' featuring young children," a statement of probable cause said.
The anime material, while technically legal, is still concerning to investigators.
"The stuff that's concerning to us, specifically, is the child pornographic anime. If they're into child pornographic anime, it's not a huge step to get into child pornography itself or, for that matter, to abuse a child," said Chief Alan White, ICAC Commander.
Agents said Walden also had multiple passports and cash, and that he had recently traveled out of the country. They are calling him a flight risk and a danger to the community.
